Nobel Peace Prize winner, South Africa's first black president, and democracy and peace champion Nelson Mandela passed away late Thursday due to various health ailments. He was 95. The whole world mourns his death and celebrates his life. A man whose middle name Rolihlahla lived to the meaning of his name - troublemaker. Mandela, also known as Madiba to represent his clan, caused trouble and changed the world for the better.
As news of Mandela's death started to spread in South Africa, mourners spontaneously flocked outside his home. According to reports, his body was moved to a military hospital and is expected to be embalmed in the next few days. A public memorial service is being planned at the soccer stadium in Johannesburg.
"He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," said South African President Jacob Zuma.
World leaders, celebrities, and ordinary people joined together to voice their sentiments through public speeches and through tributes on social media.
"A man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice," said President Barack Obama through his Twitter account. "Let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived."
President Obama remembers Nelson Mandela: "A man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice."
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 5, 2013
Mandela was born in 1918 and finished his law degree at the University of Witwatersrand. Joining the African National Congress in 1944, he one of the leaders of the resistance against the apartheid policies of the ruling National Party. In the next two decades that followed, he was regarded by the ruling party as a traitor and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. Mandela spent almost 20 years at Robben Island Prison near Cape Town. He was released in 1990. In December 1989, FW De Klerk unbanned all political parties. The last white president and the first black president of South Africa played crucial roles to institute changes in the constitution of their country. In May 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa. Hearing news of Mandela's death, United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his sympathies to the family of Mandela and ordered flags in his country to be at half mast. "A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast," he posted on his Twitter account.
A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 5, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada was also among the world leaders who shared his thoughts on Twitter.
"All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders," he said.
All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders.
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) December 5, 2013
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has sent his respects to Mandela.
"Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of his people and humanity, and he did so at great personal sacrifice. His principled stance and the moral force that underpinned it were decisive in dismantling the system of apartheid," Ban said through a statement sent to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
"Remarkably, he emerged from 27 years of detention without rancor, determined to build a new South Africa based on dialogue and understanding. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission established under his leadership remains a model for achieving justice in societies confronting a legacy of human rights abuses," he added.
Myanmar democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi also paid her tribute to South Africa's anti-apartheid hero. Suu Kyi is seen by many as another Mandela and had spent years in jail fighting for human rights.
"He made us all understand that nobody should be penalised for the colour of his skin, for the circumstances into which he is born. He also made us understand that we can change the world -- we can change the world by changing attitudes, by changing perceptions. For this reason I would like to pay him tribute as a great human being who raised the standard of humanity," she said through a statement.
The Dalai Lama also posted on his official website.
"He was a man of courage, principle and unquestionable integrity, a great human being, someone of whom we can truly say, 'He lived a meaningful life.' I pray for him and offer my heartfelt condolences to you, the members of your family and the entire people of South Africa.
"...the best tribute we can pay to him is to do whatever we can to contribute to honoring the oneness of humanity and working for peace and reconciliation as he did," he added.
Mandela's last public appearance was during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
