Hamba kahle Madiba, freedom at last
Beloved father of the nation passes away.
The beloved ex-President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, passed away at his Houghton home at 8.50pm on 5 December.
The 95-year old Madiba was hospitalised on 8 June and amidst controversial secrecy his condition deteriorated. On 18 July it was said that his health had improved slightly and he was sent home.
The nation, and the world, was shocked when President Jacob Zuma announced his death on national TV on the evening of 5 December.
In his announcement he said that the first president of the democratically free South Africa will receive a state funeral and until after the funeral flags will hang half mast.
Zuma called on the nation to “live like Madiba has lived, and strive like he has strived”.
Condolences and tributes poured in from across every sphere of life and the globe.
