At 95 years old, Nelson Mandela is gone. Speechless. Saddened. The entire world takes a long moment of silence for the Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the South African Civil Rights movement, who faced 27 years of imprisonment over his militant fight against Apartheid. A beacon of freedom, hope and peace, he became South Africa's first black president from 1994-1999. Last appearing in public in 2010, when the nation hosted the soccer world cup, Mandela's body grew shallow and frail with age and sickness until finally losing a battle to a lung infection that kept him hospitalized for months at a time earlier this year. Transcending at his home, among family and friends, his works are currently remembered in an eerily, timely way, on screen in the Idris Elba starring film Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
Now, the iconic, revolutionary leader can finally rest. From everyone at TSL, RIP.
Nelson Mandela has gone home, says South Africa's president. Rest, sir. And thank you.
— Roy S. Johnson (@roysj) December 5, 2013
The wisdom of Mandela: quotes from the most inspiring leader of the 20th century http://t.co/qKMnqsZSTB via @qz
— Matt Kazlowski (@FarRunnerMatt) December 5, 2013
BREAKING : One of the most inspiring & powerful leaders of our time is gone. President Nelson Mandela, has died. http://t.co/f5gyAXWgaS
— Craig Bowman (@Craigab1) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela dead at 95: Nelson Mandela, the father of modern South Africa who led the fight against aparthe… http://t.co/pyOcc8WXwZ
— Harlem Voice (@HarlemVoice) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela, South African Icon of Peaceful Resistance, Is Dead http://t.co/wjdAPJgppB
— Terry McCarty (@TVMCCA) December 5, 2013
"Our nation hast lost its greatest son. Our people have lost its father." Nelson Mandela has died at age 95
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) December 5, 2013
'Nelson Mandela led South Africa from apartheid to multi-racial democracy and will be mourned around the world'. http://t.co/NM2Q49pOxP
— Kayleigh Wall (@Kayleigh_Wall) December 5, 2013
Wow. Nelson Mandela. What an incredible man. Humbled by his greatness. Let's celebrate his life by continuing to change the world!
— Sam Sparro (@samsparro) December 5, 2013
RIP to the inspirational Nelson Mandela, a true hero and leader. Thank you sir. #NelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/aQJjgzlzCV
— Josephine Son (@JoJo_Son) December 5, 2013
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." RIP #NelsonMandela
— Mateus Ward (@MateusWard) December 5, 2013
It's unfortunate that #NelsonMandela has died.A great man and warrior of Africa. He truly fought the good fight. May his soul rest in peace
— Chris Kirubi (@CKirubi) December 5, 2013