Jahangiri Condoles With S.African VP On Mandela Demise

Tehran, Dec 8, IRNA – First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri in a message on Saturday condoled with Kgalema Motlanthe, Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, and the South African nation on the passing away of Nelson Mandela. Jahangiri’s message read, “The name of Nelson Mandela will be remembered and praised by the freedom seeking nations and all freedom lovers across the world.” The message said, “He was an honorable pattern on the path of peace, freedom and dignity of mankind from any race, religious belief and ethnicity. The current violent-ridden world will remain indebted to his inspiring resistance and endeavors to make the world free of violence. Elsewhere in his message, Jahangiri said, “I condole with South African officials and people as well as his sympathizers throughout the world on the loss of this great personality.” Mandela, who led South Africa’s transition from white minority rule in the 1990s after nearly three decades in prison, was one of the towering political figures of the 20th century. He had been receiving home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital. He had been suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, probably due to the fact that he contracted tuberculosis in prison years ago. Mandela served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully democratic election. After years of resistance against the apartheid rule in South Africa, Mandela was arrested in 1962. He was sentenced to life in prison, where he served over 27 years. He spent many of those years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on February 11, 1990, Mandela led the African National Congress in the negotiations that led to multi-racial democracy in 1994. As president, he frequently gave priority to reconciliation. He left office in 1999 after serving one term as president. Mandela received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize./end