Mandela foundation leads South Africa tributes to Michael Jackson

Johannesburg - The foundation of South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, former president Nelson Mandela, on Friday joined music fans worldwide in expressed its sadness at US popstar Michael Jackson's death at the age of 50.

"The Nelson Mandela Foundation regrets the untimely passing of Michael Jackson. His loss will be felt by his fans worldwide," the statement read.

Jackson met Mandela in 1999 and made a donation to the Nelson Mandela Fund for Children.

Two years earlier, during his "HIStory" tour, he played a concert in South Africa's port city of Durban.

Radio stations in South Africa played Jackson's songs throughout the morning as fans phoned in to express their shock at the death of the singer and philanthropist, who co-wrote the charity song We are the World with fellow singer Lionel Richie in aid of Africa.

One radio presenter noted a South African woman had sung backing vocals on the star's Liberian Girl hit.

"The world has lost one of its greats," South Africa's Independent Newspapers lamented.(dpa)