"Madiba", as Mandela was affectionately called by his clan name by South Africans, passed away in the evening. The 95-year-old's death was announced late Thursday by South African President Jacob Zuma in a television address to the nation.

World leaders in unison paid tribute, including President Obama who said Mandela embodied the "promise of change for the better", BBC reported.
Obama said Mandela achieved more than what could be expected of any man.