On the 5th of December the South African president Jacob Zuma announces the passing on of a ledged of our time; Nelson Mandela age (95) who had a long battle against lung infection. Mandela was an advocate for the struggle and the end of the apartheid era making his the first non-racial president of South Africa in 1994, which gave Africa as a whole a ray of hope for a better tomorrow.
The Noble Peace Prize winner passed on in his home in Johannesburg after being hospitalized for three months earlier this year. Tones of tribute have been poured from world leaders and close associates in the past forty eight hours and a few can be seen below.
Jacob Zuma (President of South Africa)
''Our nation lost its greatest son. our people have lost a father. What made him great was precisely what made him human.''
Barack Obama (President of the United States of America)
''I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Mandela's life. The first thing I ever did in political life was to protest apartheid. So long as I live I will do what I can to learn from him. We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again, a man who took history in his hands and bent the moral are of history towards justice.''
David Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
''A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No.10 to be flown at half-mast.''
And the President of Nigeria Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has declared a three days mourning period in the nation. Nelson Mandela is a shining light and a great example for African leaders to take cue and he had the chance of becoming a life president in South Africa but he stepped down as president after five years in power and his vice at the time; Thabo Mbkei succeeded him as president and Mandela went on to become a global icon, by becoming an advocate for human rights campaign and improvement of global health including the dreaded disease HIV which has engulfed the world population.
Despite his life imprisonment sentence under then the apartheid regime and he went on to spend 27 years in prison, did not stop him from leaving a legacy of freedom, justice, unity and equality in modern day South Africa and indeed worldwide. This was a result of global protest that saw this great man's release in 1990.
President Nelson Mandela's passing on came as a movie about his life, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Premiered in London with Idris Alba as Mandela.
Here is one of his famous quote during his life time as a global icon and leader which as inspired people to became the best they can be.
''It always seems impossible until its done.'' Nelson Mandela
Indeed he fought a good fight and he won the race. As the has gone on to inspire many globally. Rest in Peace Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. (1918-2013)
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