Johannesburg:  Nelson Mandela, the man who would always be remembered for single handedly forcing the racist South African govt to hand over the reins of power to the black majority, finally breathed his last Thursday after prolonged illness.

The news of Nelson Mandela's sad demise was announced by South African president  Jacob Zuma.

Mandela had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital. He led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after having spent 27 years in prison, BBC reported.

In a statement on South African national TV, Zuma said Mandela had "departed" and was at peace. "Our nation has lost its greatest son."