South Africa’s greatest son and a beacon freedom around the world died peacefully at the age of 95. The announcement of Mandela’s death came in a televised address to the nation by President Jacob Zuma at 11.30pm in South Africa, or 9.30pm in Britain. It followed several hours of speculation prompted by reports that his family and his friends had been flocking to his bedside. “He is now resting”, Zuma said.

“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.” Zuma announced a period of national mourning and said South African flags would fly at half mast around the world until Mandela’s state funeral was held in the coming weeks. His body is expected to be taken to the capital Pretoria, where he will lie in state. “Nelson Mandela brought us together, and it is together that we will bid him farewell,” Zuma added.

Mandela was admitted to the Pretoria Heart Clinic in June, where he was treated for a recurring lung infection before he was released to receive home-based care nearly three months later.

At the time there was a outpouring of love and concern for the elder statesman from around the world. However on Thursday, it was quiet outside Mandela’s Houghton home, where a slew of specialist physicians were attending to his health.

His most recent hospital stay spanning over three months was his longest since he walked free in 1990.