Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Mandela served over 27 years in prison, initially on Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. An international campaign lobbied for his release, which was granted in 1990 amid escalating civil strife. Mandela published his autobiography and opened negotiations with President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory. As South Africa's first black president Mandela formed a Government of National Unity in an attempt to defuse racial tension. He also promulgated a new constitution and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses. Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life. Denounced as a Marxist terrorist by critics, he nevertheless gained international acclaim for his activism, having received more than 250 honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Soviet Order of Lenin and the Bharat Ratna. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, or as Tata ("Father"); he is often described as "the father of the nation". Mandela died of a lung infection on 5 December 2013 at around 8:50 PM at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg surrounded by his family. He was 95. His death was announced by President Jacob Zuma. On 6 December, Zuma announced a national mourning period of ten days, with the main event being an official memorial service to be held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday 10 December. He declared Sunday 8 December a national day of prayer and reflection: "We call upon all our people to gather in halls, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and in their homes to pray and hold prayer services and meditation reflecting on the life of Madiba and his contribution to our country and the world." Mandela's body will lie in state from December 11th to 13h at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and a state funeral will be held on Sunday, December 15th in Qunu. Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille announced that Cape Town will host an interfaith service on the Grand Parade, which has been designated as Cape Town's primary public mourning space, on Sunday, December 8th. A public night vigil will be held there on the evening before Mandela's funeral. Cape Town will also host a free tribute concert at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, December 11th. Pipkin-Braswell provides this online obituary as an opportunity for people in the community to leave expressions of sympathy. These thoughts and condolences collected will be beautifully bound and sent to the Mandela Family in South Africa. We will also make a special keepsake commemorating the life and good works of Nelson Mandela and provide those to all who come in to Pipkin Braswell.

Visitation: 12/9/2013 at 10:00 AM Begins Monday, December 9, 2013 Ends Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 10am to 5pm daily. Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 12/10/2013 - FNB Stadium - Johannesburg
Service: 12/15/2013 - Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre - Qunu