Mandela, 95, died Thursday in
Johannesburg.
"We will always love Madiba for
teaching us that it is possible to overcome hatred and anger in order to build a
new nation and a new society," President Jacob Zuma said Friday, referring to
the revered statesman by his clan name.
In Soweto township, where Mandela
lived before he was imprisoned for 27 years, giant posters of his face adorned
streets. Residents surrounded his former red brick house on a busy street and
sang songs of freedom.
On the grass near Mandela's home
in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, children spelled out with rocks "We love
you Mandela."
Others wept, lit candles and sang
in celebration of a life well lived.
Tributes planned
A state funeral will be held
December 15 in his ancestral hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.
Before the funeral, various
events to honor him are planned in major cities.
Sunday will be a national day of
prayer and reflection, and people will gather in places of worship to pray and
meditate, Zuma said.
Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-president who
reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on Thursday, December
5, according to the country's president, Jacob Zuma. Mandela was 95.
Mandela became president of the African National Congress
Youth League in 1951.
Mandela became president of the African National Congress
Youth League in 1951.
Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
Mandela poses for a photo, circa 1950.
Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
Mandela poses in boxing gloves in 1952.
Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law
practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or
affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
Mandela in the office of Mandela & Tambo, a law
practice set up in Johannesburg by Mandela and Oliver Tambo to provide free or
affordable legal representation to black South Africans.
From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk
to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
From left: Patrick Molaoa, Robert Resha and Mandela walk
to the courtroom for their treason trial in Johannesburg.
Mandela married his second wife, social worker Winnie
Madikizela, in 1958. At the time, he was an active member of the African
National Congress and had begun his lifelong commitment to ending segregation in
South Africa.
Mandela married his second wife, social worker Winnie
Madikizela, in 1958. At the time, he was an active member of the African
National Congress and had begun his lifelong commitment to ending segregation in
South Africa.
Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a
cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as
upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years
before.
Nelson and Winnie Mandela raise their fists to salute a
cheering crowd upon his 1990 release from Victor Verster Prison. He was still as
upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison 27 years
before.
A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing
Mandela's release from prison at an ANC rally in Soweto on February 11, 1990.
Two days later, more than 100,000 people attended a rally celebrating his
release from jail.
A jubilant South African holds up a newspaper announcing
Mandela's release from prison at an ANC rally in Soweto on February 11, 1990.
Two days later, more than 100,000 people attended a rally celebrating his
release from jail.
Mandela and Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda arrive at an
ANC rally on March 3, 1990, in Lusaka, Zambia. Mandela was elected president of
the ANC the next year.
Mandela and Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda arrive at an
ANC rally on March 3, 1990, in Lusaka, Zambia. Mandela was elected president of
the ANC the next year.
After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world
tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
After his release in 1990, Mandela embarked on a world
tour, meeting U.S. President George H.W. Bush at the White House in June.
At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out
the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated
as a free man since the 1960s.
At his Soweto home on July 18, 1990, Mandela blows out
the candles on his 72nd birthday cake. It was the first birthday he celebrated
as a free man since the 1960s.
Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit
to Brazil at the governor's palace in Rio De Janeiro, on August 1, 1991.
Mandela and his wife react to supporters during a visit
to Brazil at the governor's palace in Rio De Janeiro, on August 1, 1991.
South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and
Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful
transition from apartheid rule.
South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, and
Mandela shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their work to secure a peaceful
transition from apartheid rule.
Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26,
1994.
Mandela votes for the first time in his life on March 26,
1994.
On April 27, 1994, a long line of people snake toward a
polling station in the black township of Soweto outside of Johannesburg in the
nation's first all-race elections.
On April 27, 1994, a long line of people snake toward a
polling station in the black township of Soweto outside of Johannesburg in the
nation's first all-race elections.
Mandela in Mmabatho for an election rally on March 15,
1994.
Mandela in Mmabatho for an election rally on March 15,
1994.
Mandela was elected president in the first open election
in South African history on April 29, 1994. He's pictured here taking the oath
at his inauguration in May, becoming the nation's first black president.
Mandela was elected president in the first open election
in South African history on April 29, 1994. He's pictured here taking the oath
at his inauguration in May, becoming the nation's first black president.
Mandela, left, cheers as Springbok Rugby captain Francois
Pienaar holds the Webb Ellis trophy high after winning the World Cup Rugby
Championship in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995.
Mandela, left, cheers as Springbok Rugby captain Francois
Pienaar holds the Webb Ellis trophy high after winning the World Cup Rugby
Championship in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995.
After one term as president, Mandela stepped down. Thabo
Mvuyelwa Mbeki, at right, was sworn in as his replacement in June 1999.
After one term as president, Mandela stepped down. Thabo
Mvuyelwa Mbeki, at right, was sworn in as his replacement in June 1999.
Mandela sits outside his former prison cell on Robben
Island on November 28, 2003, ahead of his AIDS benefit concert at Green Point
Stadium in Cape Town. He was sent to the infamous prison five miles off the
coast of South Africa, where he spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars.
Mandela sits outside his former prison cell on Robben
Island on November 28, 2003, ahead of his AIDS benefit concert at Green Point
Stadium in Cape Town. He was sent to the infamous prison five miles off the
coast of South Africa, where he spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars.
Mandela shows something to a group of international
journalists visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in May
2004.
Mandela shows something to a group of international
journalists visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in May
2004.
Mandela sits with his wife, Graca Machel, and his
grandchildren at his son's funeral on January 15, 2005. He disclosed that his
son, Makgatho Lewanika Mandela, had died of AIDS and said the disease should be
given publicity so people would stop viewing it as extraordinary.
Mandela sits with his wife, Graca Machel, and his
grandchildren at his son's funeral on January 15, 2005. He disclosed that his
son, Makgatho Lewanika Mandela, had died of AIDS and said the disease should be
given publicity so people would stop viewing it as extraordinary.
The "46664 Arctic" benefit concert was held in Tromso,
Norway, on June 11, 2005. 46664 was Mandela's identification number in prison.
Here, artists who performed at the event surround him.
The "46664 Arctic" benefit concert was held in Tromso,
Norway, on June 11, 2005. 46664 was Mandela's identification number in prison.
Here, artists who performed at the event surround him.
Mandela attends an HIV/AIDs concert in Johannesburg on
February 17, 2005.
Mandela attends an HIV/AIDs concert in Johannesburg on
February 17, 2005.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton leans down to whisper
to former South African President Nelson Mandela during a visit to the Nelson
Mandela Foundation on July 19, 2007, in Johannesburg.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton leans down to whisper
to former South African President Nelson Mandela during a visit to the Nelson
Mandela Foundation on July 19, 2007, in Johannesburg.
A bronze statue of Mandela was unveiled in Parliament
Square in London on August 29, 2007. The 9-foot statue faces the Houses of
Parliament.
A bronze statue of Mandela was unveiled in Parliament
Square in London on August 29, 2007. The 9-foot statue faces the Houses of
Parliament.
Mandela leaves the InterContinental Hotel after a
photoshoot with celebrity photographer Terry O'Neil on June 26, 2008, in
London.
Mandela leaves the InterContinental Hotel after a
photoshoot with celebrity photographer Terry O'Neil on June 26, 2008, in
London.
Mandela meets in 2009 with international children as part
of his 46664 Foundation.
Mandela meets in 2009 with international children as part
of his 46664 Foundation.
Nelson Mandela and his third wife, Graca Machel, arrive
at the 2010 World Cup before the final match between Netherlands and Spain on
July 11, 2010, at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.
Nelson Mandela and his third wife, Graca Machel, arrive
at the 2010 World Cup before the final match between Netherlands and Spain on
July 11, 2010, at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with
Mandela at his home in Qunu, South Africa, on August 6, 2012.
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with
Mandela at his home in Qunu, South Africa, on August 6, 2012.
The evolution of Nelson Mandela
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The evolution of
Nelson Mandela 
Pres. Obama reflects on
Mandela's impact
Ex-wife: We interacted through
prison bars
The five lives of Nelson
Mandela
The official memorial service
will be held Tuesday in First National Bank Stadium in Johannesburg.
And his body will lie in state
at the seat of government in Pretoria from Wednesday through next Friday.
Zuma announced the death late
Thursday in a nationally televised address.
"Our nation has lost its
greatest son, our people have lost a father," he said. "Although we knew that
this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring
loss."
In recent years, Mandela had
battled health issues that included multiple hospitalizations for treatment of a
recurring lung infection.
Many South Africans didn't get
the news until Friday morning.
"I woke up and was shocked when
I saw it on television," said Wilson Mudau, a cabdriver in Johannesburg. "It's
sad, but what can we do? Let him rest in peace. It's time ... Madiba has worked
so hard to unite us."
Memorials worldwide
Nearly 8,000 miles north of
Johannesburg, in Paris, leaders from 53 African countries attending a summit on
peace and security observed a minute of silence for him Friday.
Memorials popped up from Los
Angeles to Chicago, where mourners placed flowers and candles in front of murals
bearing his likeness. In Washington, crowds gathered in front of the South
African Embassy.
In Adelaide, Australia, cricket
fans observed a moment of silence.
"I admired Mandela (because) he
had not poisoned his heart," said Leo Udtohan of Bohol, Philippines. "He learned
to forgive despite the horror he experienced while in prison."
At New York City's Apollo
Theater in Harlem, which Mandela visited in 1990, the marquee lit up in tribute.
"In memory of Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013," it said. "He changed our world."
Man of
complexities
Mandela helped South Africa
break the practice of racial segregation and do away with white minority
rule.
Imprisoned for nearly three
decades for his fight against state-sanctioned racial segregation, he was freed
in 1990 and quickly set about working to unite the nation through forgiveness
and reconciliation.
"As I walked out the door toward
the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness
and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison," Mandela said.
His rejection of vengeance led
him to assume roles that led from freedom fighter to prisoner to a world symbol
of the struggle against racial oppression.
And, four years after he left
prison, he became the nation's first black president, cementing his place in the
consciousness of the nation and the world.
"I'm just glad he finally found
his place of rest," said Omekongo Dibinga of Washington. "From the family drama
to his health problems, it just seemed like he could never get a break in his
later years. Now I hope be can finally rest, but he'll probably still be
watching down on us in frustration."
'We all knew he'd leave
us'
His recent bouts of illness had
prepared many South Africans for Thursday's announcement.
"We all knew he'd leave us at
some point," said Tony Karuiru, a Johannesburg resident. "But we were hoping
that he would be with us during the festive season. It's the holidays, I just
wish God would have given him a few more days with us as well."
Thomas Rabodiba said though he
expected Mandela's death, he was having a hard time accepting it.
"At first, when I heard he died,
I thought it was the usual rumors we get all the time," he said. "After I heard
the president's announcement later that the old man has departed, then I
believed that he's really gone."
His legacy
Mandela will be remembered for
many things, but his message of forgiveness and reconciliation may resonate the
most.
"Mandela's biggest legacy ...
was his remarkable lack of bitterness and the way he did not only talk about
reconciliation, but he made reconciliation happen in South Africa," said F.W. de
Klerk, South Africa's last white president and Mandela's predecessor.
Leaders
react
Zuma has ordered flags around
South Africa to be flown at half-staff until the funeral.
The U.S. government and
Buckingham Palace also lowered their flags.
"Nelson Mandela achieved more
than could be expected of any man," President Barack Obama said Thursday. "We
have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human
beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs
to us -- he belongs to the ages."
In recent years, plans for a
fitting farewell were hammered out among the government, the military and his
family. Events over the next 10 days will culminate in a state funeral to be
broadcast worldwide and a private farewell for those closest to him.
