The National Dialogue Council yesterday kicked off deliberations at Parliament with a minute of silence in honour of Nelson Mandela.The anti-apartheid hero, popularly known as Madiba, died Thursday night at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa, after battling lung infection.Mandela, who became the first black president of South Africa, passed on at the age 95."We have lost a global icon and an African hero; let us remember Nelson Mandela a man of vision and a freedom fighter,” said Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the chief executive of the Rwanda Governance Board.Prof. Shyaka, who is emceeing the 11th National Dialogue, better known as Umushyikirano, paid tribute to Mandela before the dialogue opened.President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette were joined by hundreds of participants in observing a minute of silence in honour of Mandela.Umushyikirano, an annual event, debates  issues relating to the state of the nation, local government, Rwanda Diaspora community and national security."There is no doubting Mandela’s virtues as a moral exemplar and inspirational figure. There is no modern leader who has done more to deserve the waves of praise and mourning that his passing has unleashed,” Kagame wrote in World Time yesterday.The President also added on Twitter: "Madiba, President (1st, post-apartheid SA) passes on, but what is certain he will continue to live in the hearts of many of us rest in peace.”‘The unifier’Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi also tweeted, "We join the world to mourn an African hero, a freedom fighter and unifier, a courageous man of all time. Rest in peace, Mandela.”Mandela was released from prison in February 1990 and was elected president four years later. He ruled from 1994-1999 and stepped down after the single term. He has been one of the most respected leaders globally and well-regarded as a model for world and particularly African leaders.Various films such as Invictus and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, have been acted to enable the younger generations to learn about the courage and heroism of Mandela.The Long Walk to Freedom, the latest movie on the legacy of Madiba, was in the middle of its premiere in London, UK, when news broke of Mandela’s passing on.Mandela’s funeralSouth African President Jacob Zuma said the world icon’s state funeral and burial will be held on Sunday, December 15, at his ancestral home in Qunu, Cape Town.There will be a day of prayer and reflection on December 8, followed by a memorial service on December 10, according to Zuma.The first South African black president will also lie in state for three days from December 11.Most of government and agency flags across the world are flying at half-mast. Besides tributes and condolences to the people of South Africa, world leaders have also announced their attendance of the December 15 funeral.