TODAY, 5 December, marks exactly 10 years since the passing of Mzansi's first black president, Nelson Mandela.
The stalwart and international icon died in 2013 at the age of 95 after a prolonged respiratory infection. He took his last breath at his home in Houghton, Joburg alongside his family.
His death was announced by then former president Jacob Zuma. Mandela was known as a freedom fighter, prisoner, civil rights leader, political leader and symbol of integrity and reconciliation, not only for Mzansi but around the world.
Being a freedom fighter and dedicated to end apartheid, it cost him close to 30 years in prison. His lifelong mission to end apartheid started when he joined the current governing party, the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 when he helped to form the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
In 1960, Mandela’s efforts turned more militant after police opened fire on a group of unarmed protestors in the kasi of Sharpeville, killing 69 people.
Soon after, the ANC was banned but that didn’t stop Mandela. After the ban, he went underground to form a new, armed wing of the organisation named uMkhonto we Sizwe “Spear of the Nation”.
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Years later after garnering for support across the world, in 1962 Mandela was arrested for allegedly leaving the country illegally and for inciting violence in the country. Following the Rivonia Trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state.
Mandela, who was elected president of the organisation in 1991, and his fellow comrades were sentenced to life in prison. But in a shocking turn of events in 1990, the then apartheid president late FW De Klerk announced the unbanning of the ANC and called for a non-racist country.
He also unconditionally released Mandela from prison at the age of 71 after he had served 27 years. In the first democratic voting in 1994, Mandela was elected as the first democratic and black president of the country.
He served only one term before stepping down and handing over the reins to former president Thabo Mbeki.
His death shocked many, including world leaders who ascended to Mzansi to celebrate him. South Africa observed a national mourning period of 10 days. During this time numerous memorial services were conducted across the country, with the official memorial service being held at FNB Stadium on 10 December.
From 11-13 December, his body lay in state for three days with a glass top coffin so that people could view the body.
On 15 December, tribal leaders clad in animal skins stood alongside officials in dark suits as Mandela's coffin, which was draped with the South African flag, was buried in his childhood village of Qunu in Eastern Cape.
