South Africans from across the political spectrum, including many who once denounced him as puppet of the evil communist masterminds in Beijing and Moscow, if not as a demon himself, praised the former Tanzania head of state as a great African and a fine human being.
South African President Thabo Mbeki ordered that the country's flags be flown at half-mast for five days of mourning in recognition of Nyerere's role in South Africa's move from apartheid and the achievement of a multi-party democracy.
Mr. Mbeki, who was one of several heads of state to attend Mwalimu Nyerere's funeral, shared the sentiments of the many posters bearing the wording: Farewell Father of the Nation.
Mr. Mbeki was heading a high-powered South African delegation that included Inkatha Freedom Party President and Home Affairs Minister Mongosuthu Buthelizi, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Zuma, and Speaker in Parliament Frene Ginwala.
Although Mwalimu Nyerere's passing, aged 77, from leukaemia in a London hospital came as no great surprise, his death has hit hard many South Africans, especially those who were involved in the liberation struggle against apartheid and racism in this country and region.
Like so many African leaders who praised Mwalimu Nyerere, most South Africans feel they have lost a beloved godfather to their young nation.
In the media and on the streets, Mwalimu has been praised for his selfless contributions to the cause of African liberation.
He has been described as a tireless defender of just causes and a worthy architect of the African people's victory in gaining their rightful place among the nations of the world.
Just as Nelson Mandela is widely known by his nickname of Madiba, many South Africans fondly refer to Nyerere as Mwalimu.
From streetsweepers to parliamentarians, there was a general sense that Africa had lost a great man and that South Africans of all races and creeds owed him a huge debt.
Such is the feeling towards Mwalimu that not one but two formal memorial services were held for him.
Deputy President Jacob Zuma and representatives of all parties in the National Assembly also paid tribute to Mwalimu. They unanimously adopted a motion expressing National Assembly's condolences and support to his family and the people of Tanzania.
Mr. Zuma said Mwalimu had been "one of the giants" of the African continent.
His name permeated all the significant moments of the continent's development from its colonial past, and he had played a key supportive role in South Africa's path to freedom.
"The best way to remember Mwalimu is to continue the struggle to free all Africans from hunger and starvation; from homelessness; from diseases that are killing millions of our people; from joblessness; illiteracy, conflict and war; from tyranny and from oppression," Mr. Zuma said.
Dr Ginwala said prior to her departure for Mwalimu's funeral that under Dr Nyerere, she had hosted thousands of exiles from Southern Africa.
Africa would be the poorer from his death......."