South Africa's Nelson Mandela dies

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.

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).

Play
A look back at the life of Nelson Mandela
He 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 months

*eye rolling *

Watching it on CNN now

true true or joke?

Oh. True oooooo. Live on cnn. He is gone ooooooooo.

abou1 wrote:

true true or joke?

check all tv stations...it is a breaking news

He has paid his dues fully. May he rest in peace.

A great man he was, may his soul rest in peace.

HE LIVED A FULFILLED LIFE. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE....

Africa, has lost a great leader, he is the source of inspiration to all Africans, may his soul rest in perfect peace.

Amen o!

Other African leaders should learn from his good deeds. He did africa proud.

RIP 2 him

May his soul rest in perfect peace

ikbright4real wrote:

May his soul rest in perfect peace

Amen

Hope Nigerian leaders are watching, all our so called leaders care about is their pockets. mcheeew!

such a peaceful man

may u rest in peace

He is a Man of humility. We held a one minute silence for him @ the start of Management meeting in my office yesterday. When will our country Nigeria has leader in the mode of Mandiba? I bow my head and crying for Nigerian's

Man who give his life for his people to be saved. What a man like Jesus! May his soul rest in peace, AMEN.

Grammatically:Read What Hon Patrick Obahiagbon Said About Mandela’s Death
“Alas the last of the great Titans… The great one who pricked himself on a senticous bush as he pushed for the freedom of his people from oppression… An epitome of sophronization…

“We shall not cry, rather we will celebrate a life truly well lived…

Rest in peace Madiba…

All na jargons.

stainlez wrote:

All na jargons.

hmmmm

D whole world is mourning d gr8 man

D whole world is mourning d gr8 man

a great man, R.I.P

D man's lyf suppose 2 b a lesson 4 naija politicians but it's a pity it won't be

Safex wrote:

D man's lyf suppose 2 b a lesson 4 naija politicians but it's a pity it won't be

Dem no dey hear word, na only to steal money dem sabi

Madiba to be buried Dec 15th @ his town village.RIP

stainlez wrote:

All na jargons.

Hmmm. Jargons as in...?

smile2012 wrote:

Madiba to be buried Dec 15th @ his town village.RIP

Rilly?

Safex wrote:

smile2012 wrote:

Madiba to be buried Dec 15th @ his town village.RIP

Rilly?

May his gentle soul rest with the Lord, Amin