US President, Barack Obama has ordered flags at the White House and other public and military places to be flown at half-mast till Monday, December 9 in honour of former South African leader, Nelson Mandela.
An emotion-laden Obama in a tribute to Madiba, as fondly called, Thursday evening said the deceased, “No longer belong to us, he belongs to the ages … His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to set a precedence.”
“We have lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with. We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again,” he said.
The South African hero, who was the country’s first black president, passed away Thursday at the age of 95 after a protracted battle with a lung related disease.
Meanwhile, Obama has announced his plans to travel down to South Africa, Mandela’s country home to pay him last tribute.
Mandela put his life on the line to redeem South Africa from apartheid regime. His agitation brought to an end the policy of the then apartheid government. He was subsequently released after several years in prison to become the President of South Africa.
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