South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has passed away early this morning, at the age of 95. In a statement on national television, South Africa's President, Mr Jacob Zuma informed about the demise of the Nobel laureate. He said that their nation had lost its greatest son.

Mr. Zuma said Mandela would receive a full state funeral, and flags would be flown at half-mast until the state funeral. Mandela's body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria, and the funeral is likely to take place on 14th of this month. Nelson Mandela was one of the world's most revered statesman for preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

Tributes for Mandela began pouring in from around the world immediately after the announcement. 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 Mr. Mandela set.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon hailed Mandela as a giant for justice who had inspired freedom movements the world over.