Johannesburg - Almost two decades later, South Africa is not the country former president Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, said it would become, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.
“Inequality and poverty remain rife, the education and health sectors are inadequate, and South Africa remains divided by racial separation and deep economic inequality,” Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said in a statement.
“Mandela led South Africa out of darkness and brutality... The country’s next generation of leaders would do well to live up to his high standards and fervent commitment to human rights.”
Roth said Mandela fought bravely for basic human rights.
“Mandela’s life epitomised the fight for freedom, equality, and justice, all core human rights ideals.”
President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela died on Thursday night at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home surrounded by family. He was 95.
Zuma said flags around the country would be flown at half-mast from Friday until after Mandela's funeral. - Sapa