JOHANNESBURG: Former South African President and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95 after protracted illness at his Johannesburg home.
The announcement about his death was made by South African president Jacob Zuma at a news conference in Johannesburg, saying “we´ve lost our greatest son.” The president said that the country’s flags be flown at half-staff, and announced a full state funeral for the anti-apartheid champion.
Mandela had been receiving intense home-based medical care since September for a lung infection after three months treatment in a Pretoria hospital where he was admitted in June.
His body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria‚ and the funeral is likely to take place on next Saturday.
Boxer‚ lawyer by profession‚ Nelson Mandela led South Africa’s transition from the white minority rule in the 1990s‚ after 27 years in prison. He remained President of the country from 1994 to1999.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world’s most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.
World leaders have expressed sorrow and grief over the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have also expressed sorrow and grief on the death of Nelson Mandela.
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