The world lost one of its greatest leaders on December 5th as former South African President and civil rights leader Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.   Mr. Mandela was a prominent statesman who served 27 years in prison for his role in fighting apartheid in his native land.  After being released from prison, Mr. Mandela became very politically active and the nation, in its first-ever multi-racial election, elected him president in 1994.  He served as president until 1999.

Mr. Mandela had battled serious health problems recently, particularly a severe lung infection he had suffered from for some months.  After leaving the presidency in 1999, Mr. Mandela stayed politically active, but health issues eventually forced him to retire from the public eye in 2004.  Mr. Mandela vacated to his home in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, South Africa.

As Mr. Mandela’s family, friends and colleagues mourned his death, people all over the world gathered to remember the humble man who acted against apartheid in his country.  South African President Jacob Zuma, in a live meeting recorded by CNN, said about Mandela, “He is now resting. He is now at peace.  Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”