DU99
Well-Known Member
Nelson Mandela, the great anti-apartheid leader who inspired a nation, has died at the age of 95, following a long battle with illness.
South African president Jacob Zuma has announced he died on Wednesday 5 December.
The former South Africa president, who served 27 years in jail for conspiring to overthrow the white-minority apartheid government, spent three months in a Pretoria hospital earlier this year battling a persistent lung infection.
Mandela’s health had improved enough to allow him to return home in early September, although the presidency had described his condition as ‘critical but stable’ since June.
His family previously told of how the liberation struggle icon had continued to put up a courageous fight, even on his ‘deathbed’.
Mandela sadly passed away today, leaving the world in mourning.
South Africans had begun to come to terms with the mortality of their first black president and father of the "Rainbow Nation", following a string of health scares in recent months.
It was the fourth hospital stay since December 2012 for the Nobel peace prize laureate after he was discharged in April following treatment for pneumonia.
However, his last hospital stay was his longest since he was released from prison in 1990, after serving 27 years under the apartheid regime.
Earlier this year US President Barack Obama led the tributes to Mr Mandela on his 95th saying, “We will forever draw strength and inspiration from his extraordinary example of moral courage, kindness and humility.
South African president Jacob Zuma has announced he died on Wednesday 5 December.
The former South Africa president, who served 27 years in jail for conspiring to overthrow the white-minority apartheid government, spent three months in a Pretoria hospital earlier this year battling a persistent lung infection.
Mandela’s health had improved enough to allow him to return home in early September, although the presidency had described his condition as ‘critical but stable’ since June.
His family previously told of how the liberation struggle icon had continued to put up a courageous fight, even on his ‘deathbed’.
Mandela sadly passed away today, leaving the world in mourning.
South Africans had begun to come to terms with the mortality of their first black president and father of the "Rainbow Nation", following a string of health scares in recent months.
It was the fourth hospital stay since December 2012 for the Nobel peace prize laureate after he was discharged in April following treatment for pneumonia.
However, his last hospital stay was his longest since he was released from prison in 1990, after serving 27 years under the apartheid regime.
Earlier this year US President Barack Obama led the tributes to Mr Mandela on his 95th saying, “We will forever draw strength and inspiration from his extraordinary example of moral courage, kindness and humility.
