In a statement issued by President Jacob Zuma, he will be accorded a State Funeral.
President Zuma ordered that all flags within South Africa be lowered to half-mast from today and to remain at half-mast until after the funeral on December 15.
Madiba’s body was taken to the Waterkloof Airforce Base around 3:30am today (Friday) before a military convoy transported the body to the 1 Military Hospital.
His body is reportedly expected to be embalmed at this hospital over the next two to three days.
A memorial service will be held at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. It is believed Heads of State may attend this public farewell.
For the period of mourning, Mandela’s body is expected to lie in state, guarded by South African National Defence Force personnel.
Madiba’s casket will be placed under a dome close to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on December 10 for three days, the place where he took the oath of office when he became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.
Next week, Mandela is expected to be taken by military aircraft to his ancestral hometown of Qunu, which he had asked to be his final resting place.
Heads of State and royalty from around the world are expected to make the journey to the rural homestead, where a state funeral will be held and Mandela will be laid to rest.
The man
Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Qunu, Transkei in the tiny village of Mvezo.
Rolihlahla, in his native Xhosa language, means pulling the branch off a tree, which in most cases is given to troublemakers.
The name given to the young boy would soon fit well with his character in the future. His father Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa had four wives whom he fathered 13 children with, four boys and nine girls, his mother Nosekeni Fanny was the third wife.
Nelsons paternal great grandfather Ngubengcuka ruled as king of the Thembu people. His surname Mandela, was taken from his grand father.
He was also known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by the elders of his clan.
In the early years of his life, Mandela experienced a change that would force the family to move from their village to a smaller village nearby. This came after his father, who was destined to be a chief, lost his title and fortune over a dispute with the local colonial magistrate. Times were hard in the Mandela household forcing the family to forge a life for themselves in hut eating maize and other vegetables that they could afford.
The young boy grew and like many of his friends thrived on playing games and running around, he was known for his active nature and troublesome behaviour. Mandela became the first in his family to attend school, this was a milestone for the family who took pride in their sons formal acceptance to the world of education. As was custom in those days, it was mandatory for African children to have a Christian name as their first name, his new first name would be Nelson.
At the age of nine Mandela’s father died causing his life to change drastically, he was adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo who was the acting regent of the Thembu people. This was done as a gesture to Nelsons late father who had in earlier years recommended that Dalindyebo be made chief. The young boy was taken away from his beloved Qunu to a far away Mqhekezweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland where the chiefs royal residence was.
His new life was different from the life of the village, he soon adapted and was given the same status and responsibilities as the regents two other children. His values and attitudes were shaped by traditions and his new found royal privileges.
In his teens Mandela became interested in boxing and took part in marathons.
He was sent to boarding school and later to Fort Hare Missionary College were he was expelled for helping to organise a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. He then became involved in other protests against the white colonial rule. True to his name, Rohlihlahla soon became a force to be reckoned with when it came to the rights of his people.
After his suspension, Jongintaba announced that Mandela and his son Justice, who was heir to the throne, would be married in soon in marriages that he had arranged. Mandela was greatly displeased with this news and chose to run away from home to Johannesburg were he would build a new life for himself.
His first job was as a guard at the mine where his employment was quickly terminated after his employer learnt that he was the run away son of the regent. His second job was as an articled clerk in Whitkin. Sidelsky and Edelman law firm this prompted him to study a B.A. degree through correspondence with UNISA.
Mandela married his first wife Evelyn Ntoko Mase who was also from the Transkei although they had met in Johannesburg. The relationship spanned over a period of 13 years but collapsed under the strain of constant absences and Mandela’s devotion to the revolution.
The couple had two sons Madiba Thembekile (1946-1969) and Makgatho Mandela (1950-2005). They also had two daughters who were both named Makaziwe Mandela born in 1947 and 1953 respectively. The first daughter died when she was nine months old and the second was named Makaziwe in her sisters honour. Makgatho’s son Mandla Mandela became chief of the Mvezo tribal council in 2007. Evelyn died in 2004.
In 1952 Mandela and long time friend and struggle hero Oliver Tambo opened the first black legal firm in South Africa.
Mandela’s second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, also came from the Transkei area, although they too met in Johannesburg.
The couple had two children Zenani (Zeni) born in 1958 and Zindziswa (Zindzi) Mandela Hlongwane born in 1960. Zindzi was only 18 months old when her father was sent to Robben Island.
Winnie, who was also an active member of the struggle, lead the plight of South Africans who wanted to see the release of their hero. While her husband was in prison she raised the children and kept he memory of their father alive.
Mandela joined the ANC in 1943 and from that time he has never lost his vision for ideals that ANC stands for. He used this platform as a way to free South Africa from the oppressive government.
Shortly after joining the party together with Tambo and Walter Sisulu, the Youth League of the congress was formed. The league was at first in line with the party’s defiance campaign where they conducted non-compliance peaceful protests. As things progressed and more specific areas were targeted things began to change. The aim was never to harm anyone but rather to put across a message to the government.
In 1956 Mandela and fellow ANC members were arrested and tried for treason. The Rivonia trail lasted till 1964 were all members were eventually acquitted.
The Sharpville Massacre of 1960 a new force of determination came from the party. It became evident to the young leader that peaceful protests were getting them nowhere. Umkhonto we Sizwe was co-founded and lead by Mandela, this branch of the ANC was also known as the MK. The MK saw it fir to review the need for less passive approaches to achieving the goal of freedom.
In 1960, after the banning of the ANC, Mandela argued for the setting up of military wing within the ANC.The executive agreed to consider the proposal informing other members of the party that they were welcomed to join his campaign. Assurance was given to those who wished to join that they would not be stopped.
During his years of hiding away from the police, he adopted different forms of disguises that earned him the title of “Black Pimpernel” He was in hiding for 17 months but was eventually caught.
Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour. The following year when many of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe members were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government.
Mandela’s statement from the dock was received with great interest locally and made international news.
On June 12, 1964 he was sentenced to life imprisonment along with seven other accused. From 1964 to 1982 he was incarcerated on Robben Island in Cape Town. He was later sent to Pollsmoor prison which was nearby on the inland.
During his years in prison his reputation grew, he was accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became the symbol of resistance of the anti apartheid government gathered strength.
In prison Mandela never compromised his political principles and was a great motivation for the other prisoners who looked to him for guidance and inspiration. He studied for a Bachelor of laws while in prison from the University of London External Programme.
In 1985 he was offered freedom by President Botha but turned it down and released a statement saying “What freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned? Only freedom can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.”
He was classified as a D- group prisoner which was the lowest classification of prisoners. These prisoners were offered one visitor and one letter every six months. Very often, these letters were made unreadable by the officers who were tasked with censoring the content of the letters.
In 1990 then President De Klerk announced the release of Mandela, this historical day changed the lives of millions and was broadcast all over the world.
Mandela became the first black and oldest elected president, he was 75 years old when he was elected to be president in 1994.
He was the very first South African president to be elected in a fully democratic election.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, an award he shared with President FW de Klerk.
In 1994 Long Walk to Freedom was published, the autobiography gave details of his times and struggles.
His divorce from Winnie was finalised in 1996.
In 1998 he married Graca Machel who was the widow of Samora Machel, the widow of former Mozambican president and ANC ally who was killed in 1986.
In 1999 Mandela retired from public life choosing to return to his birth place in Transkei.
Mandela was the first living person to be made an honorary Canadian citizen in 2001.
Sandton Square in Johannesburg was renamed Mandela Square in 2004 where a six metre statue of the hero was installed in the square in his honour.
A South African species of trapdoor spider Stasimonpus mandelai was named in his honour in 2004.
In 2009, the UN General Assembly declared July 18 as Mandela
Day to mark his contribution to world freedom.
As it stands Mandela is one of the most awarded person in history receiving more than 250 awards.
He has received honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities worldwide and was chancellor of the University of the North.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup he made a rare appearance during the closing ceremony and was warmly applauded by millions of spectators and audiences who watched at home.
Mandela is survived by his wife Graca Marcel, three of his children, 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His death has left many heartbroken and grieving as they remember his life and legacy.
