Hero of South Africa Nelson Mandela dies at 95

Nelson Mandela, a global symbol of resistance against injustice who put an end to the much-despised apartheid regime in South Africa and served as the country's first black president, died on Friday at his home in Johannesburg following a lengthy illness. He was 95.

"Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," South African President Jacob Zuma said in a televised address to the nation.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," he said.

"What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

The elder statesman was receiving medical care at his home in the suburb of Houghton from a team of doctors since September after spending three months in a Pretoria hospital for a recurrent lung ailment.

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Zuma announced a state funeral for the elder statesman. Details of the funeral have not been announced yet, but all flags will fly at half-mast until the funeral.

He said Mandela's tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world: "His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love."

Hundreds of South Africans all over the country huddled in groups from the early hours of the morning to mourn the death of Mandela, who led the emancipation of South Africa from white minority rule and served as its first black president.

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Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of them on RobbenIsland, after being convicted in the Rivonia trial with several others 50 years ago.

He stepped down in 1999 after serving one term as president following the first democratic elections in 1994.

As president, Mandela worked for uniting the polarised nation dominated by tribal politics. He devoted his energy to moderating the bitterness of his black electorate and to reassuring whites with fears of vengeance.

Mandela had been in and out of hospital for the past two years with a range of medical problems. His public appearances became rare but despite that he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

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