CURRENT UPDATE : NELSON MANDELA DIES, 5-DAY STATE MOURNING IN INDIA

NELSON MANDELA DIES, 5-DAY STATE MOURNING IN INDIA

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first elected black president and a global anti-apartheid icon died early Friday, at his home in the suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg, following a lengthy illness. The Indian government has announced a five-day state mourning.

The elder statesman was receiving medical care from a leading team since September after spending three months in a Pretoria hospital for a recurrent lung ailment. 

"Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," Zuma said in a nationally televised address. 

He passed away peacefully at 20:50 (local time), 5th December, Zuma said. 

"He is now resting. He is now at peace...Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," he said. 

Zuma announced that there would be a state funeral for the departed world leader. Details of the funeral have not been announced yet, but all flags will fly at half-mast until the funeral. 

Zuma said Mandela's tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world, "His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love." 

"Our thoughts are with the South African people who today mourn the loss of the one person who, more than any other, came to embody their sense of a common nationhood. 

Our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced Madiba as their own, and who saw his cause as their cause, Zuma said. 

"Let us reaffirm his vision of a society in which none is exploited, oppressed or dispossessed by another. Let us commit ourselves to strive together sparing neither strength nor courage to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa," he said. 

Hundreds of South Africans all over the country huddled in groups from the early hours of this morning to mourn the death of founding father of the democratic nation. 

The government has also set up a special tribute website at www.mandela.gov.za. 

Meanwhile the Indian government has announced a five-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Nelson Mandela. 

A decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting of the Union Cabinet, which condoled the death of the icon. 

"Mandela was the tallest leader of not only his generation but possibly this entire paradigm. The role that he personally played in dismantling the apartheid is something exemplary," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after the meeting. 

A prisoner of conscience for over 20 years, the South African leader played an extremely vital role in giving a moral leadership to the world, he said. 

"The entire nation is one with the South African people in condoling his sad demise. "The Cabinet met today and passed a resolution condoling the death of Dr Nelson Mandela and it has been decided that there would be five days' state mourning...," he added. 

During the period of state mourning beginning Friday, the national flag will be flown at half mast all over the country and there will be no official entertainment.

The state mourning will be observed till December 10, a government notification said.

Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of them on Robben Island, after being convicted in the Rivonia trial with several others 50 years ago. 

He stepped down after serving one term as President following the first democratic elections in 1994. 

He had been in and out of hospital for the past two years with a range of medical problems. 

Tributes and condolences from many world leaders have been pouring in from all corners of the world after the tragic news. 

India to send high-level delegation to Mandela's funeral 

India will be represented by a "high-level" delegation at the funeral of South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela who died early morning in Johannesburg, the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

"Both Prime Minister and President have indicated the reverence that we in India hold Nelson Mandela in. His death is not only a loss for South Africa but for India and the world too. It is certain that a very high-level delegation will go from India," spokesperson in MEA said. 

"There is still sometime between the funeral is officially held and visiting dignitaries are being asked to attend that...Our High Commission is in touch with South African government (on the issue)...," he added. 

The anti-apartheid icon served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and was recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award and a well-known Gandhian.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described his as a "giant among men" who not only represented the conscience of the world, but also remained a beacon of hope for those struggling against oppression and injustice long after he had led his own people to victory over such ills." 

Mandela died early today at his home in the suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg following protracted illness. He was 95.