Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, anti-apartheid hero and the
father of democratic South Africa died on 11/12/2013 Thursday at his home. The freedom fighter is 95 years old died after
months fighting a lung infection. South Africans and world leaders paid tribute
to Mandela, who led the transition from white minority rule. For most, the passing of South Africa’s first black president was an unforgettable moment in history.
The Freedom fighter - Nelson Mandela, led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison for his political activities.
He had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at
his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a
critical state.
The news was announced by a clearly emotional South
African president Jacob Zuma live on television, who said Mandela had
“departed” and was at peace. “Our nation has lost its greatest son,” said Zuma.
Mandela, once a boxer, had a long history of lung
problems after contracting tuberculosis while in jail on Robben Island. He has
won Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Nelson Mandela – 1918-2004
1918 Born
in the Eastern Cape
1943 Joined
African National Congress
1956 Charged
with high treason, but charges dropped after a four-year trial
1962 Arrested,
convicted of incitement and leaving country without a passport, sentenced to 5
years in prison
1964 Charged
with sabotage, sentenced to life
1990 Freed
from prison
1993 Wins
Nobel Peace Prize
1994 Elected
first black president
1999 Steps
down as leader
2001 Diagnosed
with prostate cancer
2004 Retires
from public life