NELSPRUIT – Few people said they were surprised when the death of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was announced on Thursday night. After all, he has been on his sickbed since June.
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As recently as this week his daughter Makaziwe Mandela told the SABC that her father was, for lack of a better word, on his death bed. Yet, a small dull shock reverberated through even the most cynical South African upon the hearing the final news (see video of Zuma’s announcement here).
Once again Madiba, or the father of the nation as he was known, united the country – albeit in grief this time. Citizens cast their eyes back to their memories of him, and everyone has one despite so few of us ever meeting him. He belonged to us all.
His fame was of such a nature that Mandela became the only individual to have a special day dedicated to him by the United Nations (UN) when the body declared his birthday, July 18, Mandela Day to inspire people to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.
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This is exactly what Madiba did. While the legacy of the man, who led the country on a path of forgiveness and reconciliation upon his release from 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid, will hopefully be everlasting, the man was not immortal.
He was first admitted to Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Ever since, it was not just South Africans eagerly awaiting news of his condition, but international media could be seen camping outside the hospital’s walls.
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It was the site of the wall outside the hospital, which was transformed with flowers, presents and cards in his honour that really illustrated the reach of his good influence. Some of the cards were clearly made by children too young to have been born when the former president was still in power.
He was discharged from hospital and spent his last days at his home in Houghton. Few details were forthcoming about his condition, but Mandela was believed to be on life support when he died at the age of 95.
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He is survived by his wife, Graca Machel, ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, daughters Makaziwe, Zenani and Zindziswa Mandela as well as grandchildren.
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The former statesman will have a state funeral with military honours. His public funeral is expected to take place December 17 at the Union Buildings where he is to in state for two days before burial at his native village Qunu in the Eastern Cape. Until then, all national flags are to fly at half mast.
