(CNN) -- My Fellow South Africans, 

Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed. 

He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20h50 on the 5th of December 2013. 

He is now resting. He is now at peace. 

Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. 

Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. 

His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. 

His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. 

They have sacrificed much and endured much so that our people could be free. 

Our thoughts are with his wife Mrs. Graca Machel, his former wife Ms. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, with his children, his grand-children, his great grand-children and the entire family. 

Our thoughts are with his friends, comrades and colleagues who fought alongside Madiba over the course of a lifetime of struggle. 

Our thoughts are with the South African people who today mourn the loss of the one person who, more than any other, came to embody their sense of a common nationhood. 

Our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced Madiba as their own, and who saw his cause as their cause. 

This is the moment of our deepest sorrow. 

Our nation has lost its greatest son. 
Who is being honored?
What happened to cause this?
Violently?
When did it happen?
What time?
Were there others with him?
What part of the world is this in?
Did he affect the whole planet?
How many folks on the planet feel bad about this?
Was he single?
Who was he married to?
Was she his first?
Who else then?
Were his kids barren?
Was he a socialist?
What month did he pass?
Do they believe he is a restless spirit?
What is he equated to in relation to the country's folks?
What can ease their ongoing pain?
Was he cocky, uncaring and inhumane?
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
He passed on
He passed on
no
peacefully
2013
2013
20h50
20h50
yes
 in the company of his family 
South Africa
South African
yes
the respect of the world.
millions
 millions 
no
with his wife
Mrs. Graca Machel
Mrs. Graca Machel
no
his former wife
his former wife
his former wife
unknown
unknown
no...
Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed. 
December
December
no
He is now resting. He is now at peace. 
a father.
a father.
nothing
nothing 
no
His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him their love