South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has passed away early this morning at the age of 95. In a statement on national TV, South Africa's president Mr Jacob Zuma said that Mandela had departed and was at peace. Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison. He was hospitalized in June this year with a recurring lung infection. He was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria and his condition became critical. He moved to his home in September but continued to receive intensive care by doctors from his home in Johannesburg.
Mr Zuma said that their nation has lost its greatest son. He said Mandela would receive a full state funeral, and flags would be flown at half-mast until state funeral. Mandela's body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria, and the funeral is likely to take place next Saturday (December 14). The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world's most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.
Tributes for the departed leader began pouring in from around the world immediately after the announcement. President Pranab Mukherjee today expressed profound grief over the death of Nelson Mandela saying, he was an “icon of inspiration for humanity” and a “great friend of India”. In his condolence message, the President said that Mandela was a statesman, world leader and icon of inspiration of humanity.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also expressed condolence over Mandela's death. He said, a giant among men has passed away. Dr Singh said, this is as much India's loss as South Africa's and he was a true Gandhian. He said, Mandela's life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for generations to come. US President Barack Obama said the world has lost one of the most courageous and profoundly good human beings. Obama said he could not imagine his own life without the example Mandela set.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Mandela, saying a great light has gone out in the world. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon hailed Mandela as a giant for justice who had inspired freedom movements the world over. Mr Ban told reporters that many around the world were influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom.
European Union leaders have also mourned the passing of former South African President. European Council president Herman Van Rompuy called Mandela one of the greatest political figures of our times, while European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Mandela changed course of history for his people, country, continent and the world.
