Residents across the Caerphilly County Borough can add their personal comments to a book of condolence for former SOuth African president Nelson Mandela.
The apartheid fighter died on December 5 aged 95 in Johannesburg.
The books are on display at Bargoed Library, Caerphilly Visitor Centre, Newbridge Library. Pontllanfraith House council offices, Penallta House council offices, Rhymney Library and Risca Library.
Nelson Mandela was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Islwyn in 1986 by Caerphilly Council’s predecessor, Islwyn Borough Council.
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “We believe it is important that our residents are able to record their feelings about this great man, so we have provided a number of Books of Condolence across the county borough.
“On behalf of the authority and the people of the Caerphilly County Borough, I would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Mandela at this very sad time.”
Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Colin Mann said: “Although I never had the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela, I found it extremely moving just listening to the experiences of many people who had.
“From that I feel it is possible to gauge the sheer aura of the man who cared so much about the ordinary person.
“During the dark days of apartheid it was easy to believe that the only way that the evil regime would end was by descending into a bloodbath.
“What a huge tribute to the qualities of Nelson Mandela that a man who had been locked up for 27 years and subjected to hard labour on Robben island worked tirelessly and led by example to steer a peaceful future for South Africa.
“Not everything in South Africa is yet how Nelson Mandela would have wished but the progress that has been made since apartheid is testimony to the great man. In many ways he was the most significant individual of the 20th Century.
“He will be sorely missed but certainly never forgotten.”