geeteam Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died, South Africa's president says. Mr Mandela, 95, led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison. He had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital. In a statement on South African national TV, Mr Zuma said Mr Mandela had "departed" and was at peace. "Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr Zuma said. He said Mr Mandela would receive a full state funeral, and flags would be flown at half-mast. BBC correspondents say Mr Mandela's body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria, and the funeral is likely to take place next Saturday. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world's most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years. He had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004. "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves," Mr Zuma said. "Fellow South Africans, Nelson Mandela brought us together and it is together that we will bid him farewell." UK Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Mr Mandela, saying "a great light has gone out in the world". Earlier, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge, outside Mr Mandela's home in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, said there appeared to have been an unusually large family gathering. A number of government vehicles were there during the evening as well, our correspondent says. Since he was released from hospital, the South African presidency repeatedly described Mr Mandela's condition as critical but stable. Born in 1918, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943, as a law student. He and other ANC leaders campaigned against apartheid (white-only rule). A look back at the life of Nelson MandelaHe was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964, but was released in 1990 as South Africa began to move away from strict racial segregation. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected South Africa's first black president in 1994. He stepped down after five years in office. After leaving office, he became South Africa's highest-profile ambassador, campaigning against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup. He was also involved in peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and other countries in Africa and elsewhere. Nelson Mandela was in hospital for nearly three monthsWhat is your reaction to Nelson Mandela's death? Did you meet him? What are your memories of him? You can share your views below. Source Edited December 5, 2013 by geeteam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanjoa Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) :sadbye: :( Sad news Edited December 6, 2013 by sanjoa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefa Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 R.I.P :pope: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janedoe Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Given his advanced age, various attendant health issues and the fact that he barely survived his latest trip to the hospital and never quite recovered, this was no doubt expected. Still a sad day indeed. RIP Mr. Mandela. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kn_andre Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Its so Sad to See him go ..... Heart Felt Prayers go out to his Family and Friends at this Sorrowful time. May God Grant them All Strength and Endurance .. Adieu Grand Pa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergo Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) R.I.P Nelson Mandela! :( :sadbye: Edited December 6, 2013 by Bergo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigen Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 He was a really great man. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorel Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 He was THE MAN. I read today his trick was to talk with his enemy, anyone did it before. All my respect.R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautilus Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 He will always be remembered.R.I.P Mr Mandela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberboom Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Nelson Mandela , you are unforgotten man of history :sadbye: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janedoe Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Looks like some people were having fun at the funeral. :wtf: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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