Dec. 5, 2013

POSTED DEC. 5.  UPDATED TUESDAY, DEC. 10

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Legendary former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, reverred around the world for his decades of activism and ultimate presidential leadership for a free South Africa, is dead at 95. President Barack Obama has order U. S. flags to be flown at half staff during 10 days of mourning in his honor as memorial services are set for this week and Sunday.

"Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Madiba transformed South Africa - and moved all of us.  His journey from a prisoner to a President embodied the promise that human beings - and countries - can change for the better," President Barack Obama said in a special statement from the White House Press Room Dec. 5. "His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the lives of nations or our own personal lives.  And the fact that he did it all with grace and good humor, and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections, only makes the man that much more remarkable.  As he once said, “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

Only moments earlier, South Africa President Jacob Zuma had announced the death of the country's beloved "Madiba", Mandela's trible name. The announcement was carried live on many stations in the U. S.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss," Zuma said. "His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family."

The people of South Africa poured into the streets dancing and singing in celebration of the life of their hero as they learned of his death that occurred at 8:50 p.m., Dec. 5. Mandela died at his Johannesburg home surrounded by his wife, Graca Machel, and family. He had suffered a lengthy illness that doctors identified as a chronic respiratory infection. He had lived in a remote village in the Eastern Cape area since retiring from public life two years ago after South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament.

An official day of mourning and prayers on Sunday, Dec. 8 started a week of official memorial services. On Tuesday, about 90,000 South Africans were expected to be joined by foreign dignitaries and at least 90 heads of state - including President and First Lady Obama at a national memorial in a World Cup soccer stadium near Soweto. The body of Mandela was to then lie in state for three days at the Union Building in Pretoria. 

The official memorials are set to end Sunday, Dec. 15 with a state funeral in Qunu, Mandela’s childhood village. 

Tuesday's official memorial service will not only host heads of state, but activists from around the world, including from the U. S. where protests calling for Mandela's freedom from prison became synonimous with protests for a free South Africa during the 1970s and 1980s until his release on Feb. 11, 1990.

Mandela reached world fame as he served 27 years in prison for his opposition to the racist apartheid rule that once divided the country between Whites, Coloreds and Blacks. Millions of American activists, celebrities and politicians joined activitists around the world in decades of protests for his freedom. Released on Feb. 11, 1990, he became South Africa's first Black president in 1994 and served for five years.

Initial reactions to the death of this Nobel Peace Prize winner, an iconic figure to millions, poured in from American civil rights leaders.

"Nelson Mandela was truly a transformative force in the history of South Africa and the world. My heart weighs heavy today, but his life was full and the imprint he left on our world is everlasting," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. "Every now and then a soul of rare vintage comes our way.   That by circumstances, sacrifice and suffering, finds its way into the soul of our global culture, the family of man, and calls our better angels to fly.  Such a soul is Nelson Mandela."

Reflections continued.

“President Mandela was humanity’s greatest living hero. His unwavering sense of justice and peace transformed a nation and inspired the world,” said Lorraine Miller, interim president/CEO of the NAACP.

"He changed human history and taught activists around the world that in order to legitimately further what is noble, you must actually be a noble person," said Rev. Al Sharpton, president/CEO of the National Action Network.

"There are few men or women who leave such an indelible imprint and impact on the world that they are remembered, honored and celebrated by nations near and far for centuries after they depart," said Marc Morial, President/CEO of the National Urban League. "There are few people for whom even all the words in every language fail to convey the magnitude and meaning of their lives.  Without a doubt in mind or heart, I know that Nelson Mandela is one among a very select few."