Silver Spring, Maryland, United States [ANN staff]. South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. Mr Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison for his political activities.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world's most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years. He had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004. He made his last public appearance in 2010, at the football World Cup in South Africa.
Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N. C. Wilson released the following statement regarding the passing of statesman Nelson Mandela:
“The global Seventh-day Adventist Church joins the people of South Africa and the world in mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela. His life of forgiveness and
reconciliation served as a light in a world that too often lives in the shadow of reprisal, anger and malice. “May all reflect on his important efforts to bring people together in peace. What a joy that we can also be part of that process as we are reconciled to God and each other by the grace of Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace. We offer our sympathy and condolences to the Mandela family and the citizens of South Africa.”
Ted N. C. Wilson
President
