In Johannesburg, President Jacob Zuma extended his condolences, while the African National Congress released a statement calling Chávez "one of South America's political giants."
To the people of Venezuela we say their mourning is the mourning of all countries that are fighting to reclaim their place in the world economy.
China's Xinhua newswire said leaders Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping shared their condolences, while the foreign minister highlighted the friendship between the two countries.
"President Chávez was an outstanding leader of Venezuela and a good friend of the Chinese people," China Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, adding that Chávez made significant contributions to advancing the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Venezuela.
According to Bloomberg, Venezuela sells China nearly 19 percent of its oil output. (about 518,000 barrels a day in 2013).
