World grieves
for hero Mandela
AGENCIES
Friday, December 06, 2013
Friday, December 06, 2013
Update: 2:17PM A wave of grief has rolled across the world today following news
of the death of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. Leaders and South Africans
have paid emotional tribute to the man dubbed "a colossus".
"We've lost our
greatest son. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a
father," South African President Jacob Zuma said in a televised
address that aired around the world.
"Although
we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound
and enduring loss."
Although Mandela had
been frail and ailing for nearly a year,President Jacob Zuma's announcement today of the death of
the former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate shook South Africa.
Tributes began
flooding in almost immediately for a man who was an iconic global symbol of
struggle against injustice and of racial reconciliation
Former South African president Nelson Mandela, one of the
greatest freedom fighters and political leaders of the 20th century, has died
aged 95 surrounded by family at his Johannesburg home.
"Our nation has lost its
greatest son. Our people have lost a father," South African president
Jacob Zuma said in a live TV address to the nation.
"Although we knew this day
would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring
loss. This is the moment of our deepest sorrow."
Hundreds of South Africans
gathered outside the house in the middle of the night for an impromptu vigil,
dancing the "Madiba jive", singing anti-apartheid songs and shouting
"Viva Mandela!". Some were draped in flags, others still wore their
pyjamas.
South
Africa's archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu said Mr Mandela had healed a divided
nation. "We are relieved that his suffering is over, but our relief is
drowned by our grief. May he rest in peace and rise in glory," he said.
I remember him on the
day he was in Melbourne - October 1990, eight months after his release
from prison in South Africa, three-and-a-half years before he would be elected
the country's president. After 27 years as a political prisoner of South
Africa's apartheid government, he was on an international tour to thank those
whose pressure finally led to his release. Australia's unions, then under Bob
Hawke, had been among those supporters and now Mr Mandela had come to thank the
man who became prime minister.
Wendy and
I went up to Melbourne to the gathering to welcome Nelson Mandela to Melbourne.
It was at the building that once was the Olympic swimming pool. There was an
African concert first, then Nelson Mandela arrived. I was excited and jumped up
and down and people cheered and cheered. We sat upstairs and downstairs could
see some of our relatives – a cousin married to a Gyana man. It was an event I
will always remember.
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