Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies

Freedom fighter, statesman, moral compass and South
Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial
oppression.
That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison
after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of
apartheid.
He died Thursday night at age 95.
His message of forgiveness, not vengeance, inspired
the world after he negotiated a peaceful end to
segregation and urged forgiveness for the white
government that imprisoned him.
"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 after he was freed in in 1990.
Mandela, a former president, battled health issues in
recent years, including a recurring lung infection that
led to numerous hospitalizations.
Despite rare public appearances, he held a special
place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.
"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have
lost a father," South African President Jacob Zuma
said. "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely
what made him human. We saw in him what we seek
in ourselves."
His U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, echoed the same
sentiment.
We've lost one of the most influential, courageous and
profoundly good human beings that any of us will
share time with on this earth," Obama said. "He no
longer belongs to us. He belongs with the ages."

Sent From David Aniemeka