News recently broke that Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95 years old. According to reports, South African President Jacob Zuma has confirmed that Mandela died today, December 5th, 2013. He has suffered for a long time from a recurring lung infection, on top of being imprisoned from 1962 to February 2nd, 1990.
His death was announced by Zuma in a televised address to the nation which surely has been met with many grieving hearts. He was able to have his family and friends by his side as he took his final breaths.
While Mandela began his lengthy career studying to be a lawyer, he later got involved in politics and was eventually elected the President of South Africa in May 1994, years after he had been released from prison. His time in office lasted until 1999, during which he managed to break down the apartheid system. Mandela was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Since news of his passing was announced, many have shared their grief and final thoughts on Nelson Mandela's life and death, on Twitter. See the many reactions celebrities and the general public have expressed regarding the death of Nelson Mandela, above.
May he rest in peace. Nelson Mandela (July 18th, 1918 - December 5th, 2013)
Source: Twitter
