Sorrow, tears in South Africa after Mandela's passing

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans on Friday flooded around the residence of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, expressing their deep sorrow over his death.

On Thursday evening, President Jacob Zuma told the nation and the world that the 95-year-old former president died peacefully earlier in the day.

In the early hours of Friday, almost all ways leading to Mandela's residence have been jammed by mourners, black and white.

"It is a sad day for all of us," a school boy told Xinhua. "I know much about him in school, I miss him."

A white lady, fighting back tears, said: "If there was no national reconciliation advocated by Mandela as the apartheid ended, there would be no national unity."

"Many whites might be revenged by black people who had lived a miserable life before the end of apartheid," she said.

Some residents lit candles on the ground, mourning the passing of the great man, who was the country's first black president from 1994 to 1999.

Without Mandela, there would not be today's happiness, a black young man told Xinhua.

"We thank him from the bottom of our hearts, thank him for the good job well done for our country," said the young man, who appreciates Mandela's efforts in giving the black people the equal rights as the whites in all sectors of life, such as education and employment.

Many black people sang and danced in their traditional cultural style, expressing their love and respect for Mandela.

"All we should do is to honor him by striving toward his great national targets," said a black man.

Hundreds of policemen were on duty around Mandela's house to guarantee good order during the mourning -- many of them were personally saddened by the passing of the country's symbol as well.

"Though Mandela served 27 years in prison for freedom and democracy, he insisted on national reconciliation in ending the apartheid," said a police officer. "That was his unique contribution to our country's development."

Despite the loss of a great statesman, a 30-year-old black youth said he is confident that the future of South Africa is bright.

Zuma has announced a state funeral for Mandela, and that flags around the country will be flown at half-mast from Friday until after the funeral.

Mandela was admitted to hospital with recurring lung infection in recent years. He suffered from tuberculosis in prison.

After being discharged from hospital in Pretoria in September, he started his final fight against the disease at his home in Johannesburg.