Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has, in an exclusive interview with Radio XYZ, described late South African President, Nelson Mandela, as a “real hero, a rare human [being], servant leader and a man who will not be forgotten easily”.

He said even though Mandela was a “huge character” admired by the whole world, he lived a “humble” life devoid of pride.

The 95-year-old anti-apartheid leader died Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mr Kufuor described Mandela’s death as “shocking but expected”.

President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela’s death around 9pm local time Thursday.

Mandela was elected South Africa's first black president after he spent 27 years in prison.

He was the figurehead for the struggle against the apartheid regime for decades, winning the Nobel peace prize.

He had been suffering from a lung infection but left hospital in September to spend his remaining days at the family home near Johannesburg.

World leaders paid tribute, including President Obama who said Nelson Mandela embodied the "promise of change for the better"