It is with sadness that THN report this evening the death of Nelson Mandela. He was 95 years old. South Africa’s first black President had been in hospital for three months receiving treatment for a lung infection having been critically ill for six months. He was discharged in September, but continued to get ongoing treatment at home.
“What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves,” current President Jacob Zuma said.
“Fellow South Africans, Nelson Mandela brought us together and it is together that we will bid him farewell.”
“Our nation has lost its greatest son.” He added.
Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, charged with sabotage, and led the transition of white party rule following his release in 1990.
He became president in 1994 and ruled until 1999.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “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.”
Mandela was depicted in many films over the years and actors Danny Glover (in TV movie MANDELA in 1987), Sidney Poitier (in MANDELA AND DE KLERK in 1997) and Terrence Howard (in WINNIE in 2011) are amongst those to have played him. He was most famously portrayed by Morgan Freeman in Clint Eastwood’s superb INVICTUS in 2009, and in MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM by Idris Elba, a film which will be released in the UK on the 3rd January 2014. Ironically, the film received its European Royal Premiere on the night that he passed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends at this difficult time.
Source: Assorted
