South Africa: Nelson Mandela dies at 95

Former South African President Nelson Mandela. PHOTO/Reuters/Mike Hutchings

One of the most beloved leaders of the 20th century, Nelson Mandela, the father of modern South Africa who led the fight against the brutal and racist apartheid system and then pushed for reconciliation as the nation’s first black president, died Thursday. He was 95.

Mandela was a champion of freedom, who spent 27 years of his life in a prison cell; a revolutionary who espoused armed conflict against the state, yet became a global icon of peace and moral virtue.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu called him “one of the greatest human beings to walk this Earth.”

South African President Jacob Zuma addressed the nation to inform them of the passing of Mandela.

A sombre Zuma said, “Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20:50 (1:50 p.m. EST) on the 5th of December, 2013. He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son.”

Zuma announced that all flags will fly at half-staff from tomorrow until after the state funeral.

Zuma reminded his nation, “As we gather to pay our last respects, let us conduct ourselves with the dignity and respect that Madiba personified. Let us be mindful of his wishes and the wishes of his family.”

Furthermore, he also stated “Let us commit ourselves to strive together to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.”