South Africa’s Nelson Mandela dies at 95
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
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.
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.
Among those attending was family elder Bantu Holomisa,
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).
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.
BBC
Keren December 5, 2013
Only those who respect themselves, identity, history, languages and work hard to defend them like Nelson Mandela leave historical legacy that human beings remember for generations.
To this end Mandela fought for fairness and justice for all South Africans. He will be missed by many Africans and many people throughout the world.
Only the people who respect themselves and others earn such a great honour.
rahwa December 5, 2013
God bless this beloved son of Africa. surely our world is gonna miss him, as he inspired many people everywhere with his wisdom.
Meretse Asmelash December 5, 2013
A man whose sprit never dies!
filmon kahsay December 5, 2013
Can isayas get a little jealous may be learn from Mandela. Mediba shows what freedom and leadersip is all about.
Abdu December 5, 2013
Filmon
Human have three types of brain function. Such as one is some one who have a brain in function properly . The second is some one who have a brain but didn’t work according to suppose to be in normal state of work. And the third one is just like Wedi Medhen Berad who doesn’t have a brain at all . So to come to your point of Issias jealous; he can’t because he doesn’t have the soft ware .
jos December 5, 2013
Top late to begelous for Iseyas. Mandella struggled against a wrong system bot against white people
ambabi December 5, 2013
He never want to learn at all, I remember he start to go to the university of Asmara in 96 but he dropped out with Mahmud sherifo. both were really stone heads
Abdu December 5, 2013
Filmon
Human have three types of brain function. Such as one is some one who have a brain in function properly . The second is some one who have a brain but didn’t work according to suppose to be in normal state of work. And the third one is just like Wedi Medhen Berad who doesn’t have a brain at all . So to come to your point of Issias jealous; he can’t because he doesn’t have the soft ware .
Suleiman Salim December 5, 2013
Abdu,
You are exposing your ignorance. Shut up, will you?
Abdu December 5, 2013
Suleiman( Shatan)
I think ignorant is some one who is a blind and support a blind regime ; ignorant is some one who is a donkey and goes behind the donkey ; ignorant is some one who follow the murder; ignorant is some one who doesn’t feel when his people bleed; ignorant is some one who is looking after only his own interest. If don’t have it enough I will be generous enough to give as much as you want .
By the way how many Camels are you scared are they going to take a way from you in Keren.
tz December 5, 2013
Father of Africa! !!!
God bless you! !!!!
R.I.P
Efrem December 5, 2013
Africa has lost its greatest son. I have great respect for the Man May God rest his soul. I will miss you Mr Mandela
brinji December 5, 2013
Mandellas legacy is to be remembered for many generations to come, all over our world. Against all odds, he preached reconciliation ,peace , human values and live together as people of south Africa. What a golden brain, he had!!!!!
wediEritrea December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela is not only the pride of South Africa but for the whole humanity in the world. Whereas, Isaias Afwerki is not only the shame of Eritrea but the whole third world countries even worse than the worst tin cup dictators. What a shame!
ambabi December 5, 2013
God bless him and good luck to his nation. By the way where is Winni at this moment.
nobel December 5, 2013
RIP our world wisdom president.