File photo of Nelson Mandela smiling at a news conference ahead of the second 46664 concert near the small Southern Cape province town of George. (CREDIT: REUTERS / MIKE HUTCHINGS / FILES)
Pumanaw na ang dating pangulo ng South Africa na si Nelson Mandela sa edad na 95.
Ayon kay South African President Jacob Zuma, namatay si Mandela Huwebes ng gabi sa kanyang tahanan sa Johannesburg.
Noong June 8 ay isinugod sa ospital sa Pretoria si Mandela dahil sa lung infection.
Inuwi siya sa kanyang tahanan tatlong buwan makalipas ang pagkakaratay sa ospital sa kabila na nasa kritikal na kundisyon.
Dalawang araw bago pumanaw, sinabi ng dating maybahay na si Winnie na hindi na umano tinatanggap ng katawan ni Mandela ang mga gamot na ibinibigay dito.
Samantala, bumuhos ang tribute at pagbibigay-pugay ngmga world leaders sa pumanaw na global icon.
Ayon kay US President Barack Obama, ang kapwa niya Nobel peace laureate na si Mandela ang halimbawa na ang bawat indibidwal at bansa ay maaring magbago.
“Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Mandela transformed South Africa – and moved all of us. His journey from a prisoner to a President embodied the promise that human beings – and countries – can change for the better. His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the lives of nations or our own personal lives. And the fact that he did it all with grace and good humor, and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections, only makes the man that much more remarkable,” ani Obama.
Nagpasalamat naman si United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki Moon kay Mandela dahil sa iniwang legacy nito na nagsilbing inspirasyon sa buong mundo.
“I’m profoundly saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down to Earth human inspiration. Many around the world were greatly influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways. At the same time, no one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the United Nations,” pahayag nito.
Para naman kay British Prime Minister David Cameron, nagsilbing liwanag sa mundo ang mga ginawang kabayanihan ni Mandela.
“Tonight one of the brightest lights of our world has gone out. Nelson Mandela was not just a hero of our time, but a hero of all time.”
Maging ang Pilipinas ay nakiisa sa pagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng world leader.
“We grieve over the death of Nelson Mandela, a revered world leader, who led his nation and people to freedom by treading the path of peace. He endured decades of imprisonment with unwavering fortitude and perseverance, affirming that taking the peaceful, non-violent path to freedom is one that b rings about sustained and enduring fulfillment of a people’s aspirations for full emancipation,” pahayag ni PCOO Sec. Herminio Coloma.
“The Philippines will forever be honored to have hosted president mandela’s visit in the country in 1996, and recall with pride and appreciation his historic meeting with the fellow icon of democracy, the late Philippine president Corazon C. Aquino,” saad naman ni DFA Spokesman Asec. Raul Hernandez.
Sa ngayon ay patuloy pa rin ang pagdagsa ng mga South African maging mga dayuhan sa harap ng tahanan ng dating South African President kung saan ito binawian ng buhay.
Naka half mast na rin ang mga bandila sa South Africa ayon sa utos ni President Zuma.
Itinakda sa susunod na Sabado, December 14, ang state funeral para sa anti-apartheid icon.
Mula sa Johannesburg, ililipat naman sa isang mortuary sa Pretoria ang mga labi ni Mandela. (Bianca Dava / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)