President Jacob Zuma has announced that the former President Nelson Mandela passed away peacefully at 8:30pm on Thursday evening in the company of his family. “Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed,” said the President in a live address to the nation. “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”.