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BREAKING NEWS: Nelson Mandela dies aged 95
President Jacob Zuma on Thursday announced to the nation that former president Nelson Mandela has died at his Houghton home.
Former president Nelson Mandela (95) passed away on Thursday evening.
President Jacob Zuma announced the tragic news:
“Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20h50 on the 5th of December 2013. He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”
The president called on South Africans to “recall the values for which Madiba fought”
Zuma said this is the moment of our deepest sorrow. 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. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world.
“His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. They have sacrificed much and endured much so that our people could be free.”
Zuma said what made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human.
“We saw in him what we seek in ourselves. And in him we saw so much of ourselves.”
Mandela will have a state funeral.
“Our beloved Madiba will be accorded a State Funeral. I have ordered that all flags of the Republic of South Africa be lowered to half-mast from tomorrow, 6 December, and to remain at half-mast until after the funeral.”
Click here to read the full address by president Zuma.
Local and international media earlier on Thursday evening gathered outside the Houghton residence shortly after reports that an urgent family meeting had been called.
Madiba was hospitalised on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.
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