Nelson Mandela: The Mahatma of our times is forever free

South Africa's first black president and the world's tallest statesman Nelson Mandela has died at his Johannesburg home. He was 95. 

Mandela, who in his lifetime became the symbol of world peace, had spent 27 of his prime years in apartheid South Africa's dingiest prisons, mostly on Robben Island, only to emerge victorious over the country's white rulers. But on Thursday, he lost his battle against a host of complicated lung diseases that saw him going in and out of ICUs for several months. 

"Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation has departed," president Jacob Zuma announced. He died at 8.50pm. "Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss," Zuma said. 

The first reactions were of shock as people wept on the streets. But it gave way to celebrations for a remarkable life. For many here, theAfrican National Congress leader was their only symbol of the fight against oppression. "He had done what he had to do for our country. We should not mourn his death, we should celebrate his achievements," a Mandela follower said. 

No date for the funeral was announced but Mandela would be buried in the village of Qunu, where he grew up. Virtually every world leader, including top leaders from India, are scheduled to attend the funeral. As national flags across the world slid to half-mast, India declared a 5-day state mourning for the man who was inspired by Gandhi and prevented his nation from tipping into a racial convulsion after the end of white rule. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as a "giant among men". 

Mandela, who walked out of prison February 11, 1990, became president four years later in an election that saw his predecessor F W de Klerk taking office as his deputy. After his prison term ended, the man, whose prolonged incarceration saw mounting sanctions on trade and sporting links with South Africa, chose a path of reconciliation and promised the white community safety under the new dispensation. 

Mandela's family had revealed a couple of days back that their beloved Madiba's health was sliding in order to prepare the country for the final moment. 

Huddled around a cell-phone tuned into a radio station on the pavement outside Mandela's house, a gathering of 100 was among those around South Africa keeping a vigil when the news broke that Mandela had breathed his last. 

The mood around the house had grown sombre on Thursday when a priest had pulled up outside his house at 10pm. There was a flurry of action as police cordoned off the pavement, following which Zuma's final announcement came. 

"I am glad he doesn't have to suffer...We will all miss him so much. Hopefully South Africa will remain the way it is, the country that he struggled for," said Nisha Chika, an elderly woman waiting outside Mandela's house.