Nelson Mandela passes away aged 95

After a long illness, Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. The anti-apartheid icon has died at his house in Johannesburg, surrounded by family.

The first black president in South Africa has been battling his illness after contracting a lung infection. He’s been hospitalized for three months and discharged for a continued treatment at home. Since receiving intensive care at home, his condition had been repeatedly described by the South African presidency as “critical but stable”.

The country’s president, Jacob Zuma has said that Mr Mandela was at peace. A full state funeral will be held for the former president with flags flown at half mast. Mr Zuma said: “What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.”

Nelson Mandela had been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, as he preached reconciliation. After spending 27 years in prison, he was elected as the president of South Africa.

He was born in 1918 and he joined the African National Congress as a student in 1943. He campaigned against the apartheid, which saw white people only control the country. He was imprisoned for life but released after 27 years in 1990, after the strict racial segregation began to minimise.

He received a Nobel Peace Prize and in 1994 became the first black president in South Africa. He stepped down from this role after a five-year rule and has rarely appeared in the media since 2004. He has campaigned for peace in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as becoming an ambassador for fighting against HIV and aids.

His body will be moved to a mortuary in Pretoria. The funeral will most likely take place next Saturday.

Justyna Majewska