Nelson Mandela Dies At 95

News has just broke that Former South African President Nelson Mandela has died.  He passed away today at his home in Johannesburg. He was 95.

The civil-rights leader and former president of South Africa died Thursday due to complications from a lung infection.

Mandela rose to prominence for fighting against the practice of apartheid, first as a member of the African National Congress in the 1950s. In 1962 he began a prolonged stay in jail. During that time, international eyes began to focus on South African apartheid, and particularly Mandela’s role in resisting it.

Upon his release in 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment, he worked with then-South African President F.W. de Klerk to end apartheid and begin a national reconciliation. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

Source:Townsquaremedia

Mandela had been in hospital in recent months with respiratory problems .

His hospitalization on June 8, 2013, marked his fifth visit to hospital in two years. In April 2013, he spent 10 days in hospital after being treated for pneumonia.