Former South African President Nelson Mandela dies

Nelson Mandela, a global symbol of resistance who liberated South Africa from much-despised apartheid regime and served as its first African president, died on Friday at his home after battling a protracted illness. “Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation, has departed,” President Jacob Zuma said in a televised address to the nation, announcing the demise of the 95-year-old Nobel laureate.

Mandela, also a recipient of India’s highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1990, was receiving medical carefrom a team of doctors since September at his home in the suburb of Houghton here after spending three months in a Pretoria hospital for a recurrent lung ailment. “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father,” he said.

Mr. Zuma announced a state funeral for the elder statesman. Details of the funeral have not been announced yet, but all flags will fly at half-mast until the funeral. Hundreds of South Africans all over the country huddled in groups from the early hours of this morning to mourn the death of Mandela, who led the liberation of South Africa from white minority rule and served as its first African president.

Mandela, a lawyer and ex-boxer, spent 27 years in prison, most of them on Robben Island, after being convicted in the Rivonia trial with several others 50 years ago. He stepped down in 1999 after serving one term as President following the first democratic elections in 1994. As president, Mandela worked for uniting the polarised nation dominated by tribal politics. He devoted his energy to moderating the bitterness of his black electorate and to reassuring whites with fears of vengeance.

Mandela had been in and out of hospital for the past two years with a range of medical problems. His public appearances became rare but despite that he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.
US President Barack Obama mourned Mandela’s death, saying “We’ve lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth,” Mr. Obama said. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council also mourned the death of Mandela, saying the South African leader was a “giant for justice“. “Nelson Mandela was a singular figure on the global stage -- a man of quiet dignity and towering achievement, a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration. I am profoundly saddened by his passing,” Mr. Ban said in his condolence message.