Nelson Mandela, 95, Passes

Nelson Mandela was considered to be one of the greatest men in modern society to many people. He lived a long and fruitful life and lived to be a graceful 95 years young before succumbing to a lung infection that doctors say he had been fighting for awhile. Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa confirmed the death of the idol. He offered some comfort to those grieving by saying the Mr. Mandela “passed on peacefully”, adding:

“Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father… Our thoughts are with the millions of people who embraced Mandela as their own and who saw his cause as their cause.… This is the moment of our deepest sorrow.”

Although incredibly sad, his passing shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone. In April of this year Mr. Mandela was hospitalized for ten days after being treated for pneumonia. Two months later the former president was back in hospital being treated for kidney and liver problems. That last visit saw him on life support. Ever the fighter though, he came back from it almost completely. The recurring lung infection he was having to deal with inevitably got the better of the 95 year old man. He certainly lived an exciting and interesting life though that people will be talking about for many decades to come.

Nelson Mandela got his claim to fame when he was thrown in prison for 27 years for conspiring to overthrow the government of South Africa. In 1990, he was released and three years later, he won the Nobel Prize. One year later in 1994 he helped to orchestrate the first multi-racial presidential election the country has ever seen. The people of the country absolutely loved his ideas as well as the way the gentleman carried himself and he became (democratic) SAs first Black president.

There’s been some speculation over the last few years as to whether Mandela’s stint in prison was to blame for his health problems now. While this theory does indeed make sense;

• He was forced to deal with and do all sorts of horrible things including quarrying limestone. Not to mention that prison conditions are… well, prison conditions.

• In 1988, he was hospitalized with tuberculosis. Once he was well enough, they shipped him back to prison.
• He had to deal with the abuse of the guards. No doubt that left at least a few scars.

All great points, granted. But I mean, come on people! The man was ninety-five years old. Can’t we all just find some solice in knowing that the man lived a good, long life and that he did great things?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments!