South African icon Nelson Mandela has died surrounded by friends and family in his Johannesburg home.
The death of the 95-year-old former president was announced by the South African government this morning.
“Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed,” South African president Jacob Zuma said on national TV.
“He passed on peacefully in the company of his family. He’s now at peace.
“Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”
Nelson was surrounded by family and close friends when he died.
“Although we knew this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss,” Zuma said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family. To them, we owe a debt of gratitude.”
Nelson had been sick for some time but his daughter said he remained “very strong” and “very courageous” while fighting for life on his “deathbed”.
“Even when there are moments when you can see he’s struggling, but the fighting spirit is still there with him,” she said.
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