Nelson Mandela Announcement BBC News Special

greatest son -- lost its greatest son. Yet what made Nelson Mandela

great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in

ourselves. And in him, we saw so much of ourselves. Fellow South

Africans, Nelson Mandela brought us together and it is together that we

will bid him farewell. Our beloved Madiba will be accorded a state

funeral. I have ordered that all flags of the Republic of South

Africa be lowered to half-mast from tomorrow, six December, and to

remain at half-mast until after the funeral. -- sixth December. As we

gather to pay our last respects, let us conduct our selves with the

dignity and respect that Madiba personified. Let us be mindful of

his wishes and the wishes of his family. As we gather, where ever we

are, in the country, and where ever we are in the world, letters recall

the values for which Madiba fought. Letters reaffirm -- let as reaffirm

his vision of a society in which none is exploited, or pressed --

oppressed or dispossessed by another. Let us commit ourselves to

show together, with strength and courage, to build a united,

non-racial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. Letters

express -- let us express each, in our own way, the deep gratitude we

feel for the life spent in service of the people of this country and in

the cause of humanity. That is indeed the moment of our deepest

sorrow. Yet it must also be the moment of our greatest

determination. A determination to live as Madiba has lived. To strive,

as he has strived, and to not rest until we have realised this vision

of a truly united South Africa. A peaceful and prosperous Africa. And

a better world. We will always love you, Madiba. May your soul rest in

peace. But bless Africa. -- God bless Africa. I thank you.

We have just heard the very sad news announced by Jacob Zuma that Nelson

Mandela has died. He was 95 years old. She had been suffering from a

recurrence of a lung infection. -- he had. He was admitted to hospital

three times, receiving treatment since September at his home in

Johannesburg. He contracted tuberculosis during his 27 years in

prison for leading the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Of

course, he is revered as the father of the nation for overseeing the

transition from white minority rule to democracy and we heard there

president Zuma announcing that Nelson Mandela has to be peacefully

on Thursday at his home in Johannesburg. We can cross live to

speak to the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Johannesburg. Deeply, deeply sad

news. Yes, and you saw the very sombre tone taken there by Jacob

Zuma, speaking at union buildings in Pretoria, saying that Nelson build

-- saying that Nelson Mandela had departed, passing on peacefully and

that the nation South Africa have lost its greatest son. And that our

people had lost a father. He talked about the deep emotional attachment

that South Africans have four Nelson Mandela, who many here called

Madiba, and he said nothing can diminish our sense of loss, his

utility and compassion, and he said we saw so much of ourselves in him.

That is crucial at the moment here, even now Nelson Mandela had departed

from public life quite some time ago, many, many South Africans, most

South Africans, saw in him the embodiment of their better selves,

the nation they wanted to see. Jacob Zuma talking about I united South

Africa, building a united, nonracial South Africa in which no one is or

pressed or exploited. At this time, whilst the nation as morning, even

though this was something they knew would happen, it is also a time at

which this nation is contemplating how much further it will has to go

to achieve that vision of Nelson Mandela's. Very upsetting and, as

you said, we had been planning for it, of course, Mr Mandela has been

so ill for so long, but still comes as an incredible shock. I think so,

he was old, 95 years old, very frail, he had been very ill on and

off for the past year, hospitalised and months ago, released from

hospital to intensive home care macro, that was in September. In a

sense, the South African nation had this time to prepare for the

possibility of his passing, and yet, and missed all of that, still is

hoped that he would pull through, always the talk of his being a

fighter, putting up a courageous fight. His oldest daughter said,

only on Tuesday, that even though she could see her father was still

struggling on what she called his death bed, that he was putting up a

brave fight, still teaching the family and the South African nation

lessons of tolerance and patience. This evening, increased activity at

around Nelson Mandela's Johannesburg home, which I guess led to thoughts

and fears being heightened, and now been confirmed. That is right, we

saw earlier today at gathering of the family, larger than we had seen

in some time, and some government vehicles arriving, then about ten

ago, police vehicles putting up a Gordon, trying to keep some of the

smaller crowds. -- putting up a cordon. What they understand will

now happen is that Mr Mandela's body will be moved to a mortuary in

Pretoria, which has been prepared for him, then a whole set piece

number of days of mourning, culminating in a state funeral, as

Jacob Zuma said, most likely next out of the. Saturday week. -- most

likely next that today, Saturday week. Thank you very much for

updating as on the deeply, deeply sad news that Nelson Mandela has

passed away, was 95 years old, a consumer making that announcement

that Mr Mandela passed away peacefully. -- Jacob Zuma making

that announcement. He spoke about the nation losing its greatest son

and people their father. He also said, letters express our own way

gratitude for a life spent in service for the people of this

country. The flags around the country will be kept at half mast

from tomorrow, Friday, until after the funeral. He said, this is the

moment of our deepest sorrow, and also the moment of our greatest

determination to live as Madiba live, striving as he strived and not

resting until we have realised his vision of a united South Africa.

Jacob Zuma speaking earlier. Condolences coming from around the

world, David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, saying a great light

has gone out, that he was a hero of the time and the flag at number ten

will be flown at half mast. For those joining us, sad news that

Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. He had been suffering from a

recurrence of a lung infection. We are watching live images from

outside his home, where he passed away peacefully at the age of 95.