NELSON MANDELA DIES AT 95.

Former South African President and influential anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela has died aged 95.

The country's current leader Jacob Zuma announced the death of the iconic former President during an address late last night.
Mr Zuma said Mr Mandela passed away peacefully at his Johannesburg home surrounded by family and friends after a prolonged lung infection.
Mr Zuma said: "The nation has lost it's greatest son. He is now resting. He is now at peace."

Mr Mandela's loved ones had gathered by his side on Wednesday after his eldest daughter said he was on his "death bed".

 
Mr Mandela died after a prolonged lung infection [EPA]

What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves

Jacob Zuma

Mr Zuma added: "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

The current President said flags across South Africa will be flown at half mast for the man who played a pivotal role in ending apartheid in South Africa.

He went onto lead the country as President between 1994 and 1999 after spending 27 years in apartheid prisons.

After news of his death broke residents of Johannesburg gathered outside Mr Mandela's home to pay their respects to the former leader.

People interviewed outside by Sky News described him as a "father to us all" and an "inspirational" figure.

Prime Minister David Cameron was among one of the first world leaders to pay tribute to Mr Mandela.

Nelson Mandela and the late Julius Kambarage Nyerere

He 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 Number 10 to be flown at half mast."

US President Barack Obama paid an emotional tribute to Mr Mandela, nicknamed Madiba, who he described as "remarkable" and an "inspiration" to him.

He said: "Nelson Mandela achieved more than what can be expected of any man.

"We've lost one of the most inspirational and profoundly good people.

"He no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages."

 
People gather outside Nelson Mandela's home in Johannesburg to pay their respect

Jesse Jackson, who worked with Martin Luther King, said he will "never forget" the moment Mr Mandela walked free from prison on February 11 1990.

He said: "I shall never forget that moment.

"Nelson Mandela becomes this huge transformative force because he did the unusual. After 27 years in jail, one would expect retribution. He chose reconciliation, renewal and redemption. Unearned suffering has redemptive power that can even transform a nation."

Frederik Willem de Klerk, South Africa's last white President, said Mr Mandela's greatest accomplishment was to unify South Africa and push for reconciliation between blacks and whites in the post-apartheid era.

He said: "He was a great unifier and a very, very special man in this regard beyond everything else he did. This emphasis on reconciliation was his biggest legacy."

 
Barack Obama looks emotional after giving a speech paying tribute to Nelson Mandela

The death of the iconic leader happened on the same night his daughter Zindzi Mandela attended the premiere of a biopic of his life.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which stars Idris Elba, was premiered in London with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge attending.
News of Mr Mandela's death broke during the screening of the film and a two-minute silence was held at the end of the film.

Many celebrities took to twitter to pay tribute to the iconic leader.......

RIHANNA

“Nelson Mandela, you made your people proud!! We'll always love you for it!”

 

 JENIFER LOPEZ
"It always seems impossible until it's done." Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. You will be missed. #trueinspiration #peoplewhochangetheworld

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
“The world has lost someone truly inspiring. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela”

LUDACRIS       
“Honored that I had a chance to meet this amazing influential being & to participate in his 46664 Aids…”

AKON
“A True Hero ... May you rest in peace”

MICHELLE WILLIAMS
“May your brave and courageous legacy NEVER be forgotten”

JORDIN SPARKS
“He truly was an angel on earth & now he can finally fly. RIP Mandela”

P. DIDDY
“Mandela stood for justice and truth!! Today the world lost a beautiful soul, fighter and true KING!!”

R. KELLY
“To the Mandela family, may God keep you in perfect peace at this time. For God has chosen a soldier.…"