Nelson Mandela passes away

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the revered African statesman and an enduring icon of the struggle against racial oppression, who left prison after 27 years to be president of South Africa has died. He passed away Thursday night, 5 December, in his Johannesburg home. He was 95. “Our nation has lost its greatest son,” President Jacob Zuma said in a televised address Thursday night.Nelson Mandela

Mandela was inaugurated South Africa’s first democratically elected President 10 May 1994, when he led the ANC to a resounding victory in the nation’s first democratic elections. He served one term which ended in 1999.

Mandela led the spirited struggle to end apartheid, the brutal racial domination. On 11 June 1964 Nelson Mandela and seven other accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. He was released from prison 11 February 1990.

In 1993 he and President FW de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize. As a global icon, Mandela inspired millions, including musicians.

May God grant him eternal, peaceful rest.

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