Former South African President Nelson Mandela is dead at age 95

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3News, New Zealand: Nelson Mandela is dead at 95 (10:45 A.M. 12/6/13 NZT, 3:45 P.M. 12/5/13 CST)​

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has died, aged 95. His death was announced by current president Jacob Zuma at a media conference a short time ago.

Mr Mandela was hospitalised in Pretoria on June 8 with a recurring lung infection. His condition was initially described as serious but stable, but declined to critical on June 23. He was discharged from hospital on September 1 and continued to receive intensive care at home.

The anti-apartheid hero's health had been declining for two years and he had been hospitalised four times since December 2012. He was hospitalised in March this year and then again in June with the same lung infection.

On September 1, Mr Mandela was discharged and was being cared for at home by 22 doctors. In November his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told the Sunday Independent newspaper Mr Mandela remained unable to speak, but was relaxed.

R.I.P., Nelson. Godspeed.

 

[Jerome]

Baptist Press

"Southern Baptists joined diverse leaders worldwide who hailed the civil rights champion for his life's work against apartheid, economic injustice, AIDS and other ills."