Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who served 27 years in prison for anti-apartheid activities and led his continent into a new era, has died at age 95.
South African President Jacob Zuma confirmed the news:
"He is now resting. He is now at peace," Zuma said. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father."
Nelson Mandela, who guided South Africa from the shackles of
apartheid to multi-racial democracy and became an international icon of
peace and reconciliation, died Thursday at age 95.
Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white
minority rule, Mandela emerged determined to use his prestige and
charisma to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war.
"The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to
bridge the chasms that divide us has come," Mandela said in his
acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first black president in
1994.
"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
President Barack Obama hailed Mandela as a leader who left his country with a legacy of freedom and peace with the world.
"He
achieved more than could be expected of any man," Obama said at the
White House shortly after the announcement of Mandela's death.
"Today
he's gone home, and 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.
Mandela hampir tiga dasawarsa di penjara dalam perjuangan untuk
mengakhiri pemerintahan minoritas kulit putih dan diskriminasi terhadap
warga kulit hitam di Afrika Selatan.
Setelah pembebasannya, dia muncul sebagai simbol perdamaian dan
rekonsiliasi yang dikagumi, dan memenangkan Hadiah Nobel Perdamaian pada
tahun 1993. Setahun berikutnya, dia menjadi presiden pertama Afrika
Selatan.
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela...
