NELSON MANDELA DIES IN JOHANNESBURG
Nelson Mandela "The Best Human on Earth" - Dies at the age of 95
The South African President Mr. Zuma, announced the death of their hero Nelson Mandela on Thursday the 5th of December 2013. He died at the age of 95 at his home in Johannesburg after a lung infection, which he was suffering from, for about a year, making the whole world to mourn for a man who hailed by global leaders as a moral giant. He was under intensive medical care at home when he passed away. Madiba (as affectionately known by his clan) died shortly before 21:00 local time 19:00 GMT). He said to receive a full state funeral, and flags will be flown at half-mast.
Mandela was the former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner. He
was the first black president, who was released from prison after 27 years
ultimately to guide Africa’s biggest economy through bloodshed and turmoil to a
successful democracy. He was an iconic global symbol of struggle against
racialism. He had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004.
He made his last public appearance in 2010, at the football World Cup in South
Africa, where he received a thunderous ovation from the 90,000 at the stadium
in Soweto, the neighborhood in which he cut his teeth as a resistance leader.
Mr. Zuma said, ”Our nation has lost its
greatest son. Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish
our sense of a profound and enduring loss. Fellow South Africans, out beloved
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has
departed. Our people have lost a father. His tireless struggle for freedom
earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity, earned
him their love.”
US President Barack Obama said,” The world has lost one of
the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of
us will share time with on this earth. Like so many arund the globe, I cannot
fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, so long
as I live I will do what I can to learn from him. He no longer belongs to us –
he belongs to the ages. He took history in his hands and bent the arc of the
moral universe towards justice.”
Indian Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh
said, “A giant among men has passed away. This is as much India’s loss as South
Africa’s. He was a true Gandhian. His life and work will remain a source of eternal
inspiration for generations to come. I join all those who are praying for his soul.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron
called Mandela,” a hero of our time…a great light has gone out in the world.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Nelson
Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration. Nelson Mandela
showed what is possible for our world and within each one of us if we believe,
dram and work together for justice and humanity.”
Archbishop
Desmond Tutu said, “He was not only an amazing gift to humankind, he made South
Africans and Africans feel good about being who we are. He made us walk tall.
God be praised.”
South African Annah Khokhozela said,”It
feels like it’s my father who has died. He was such a good man, who had good
values the nation could look up to. He was a role model unlike our leaders of
today.”
People are gathering outside his home, wearing the shirts of the governing
African National Congress. Some are flying South African flags. Mr. Mandela’s
body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria, and the funeral is likely to take
place next Saturday.
