. >> in south africa, he was known affectionately as medeba. listen to a crowd say nateing the leader. ♪ ♪ nelson mandela the first black president of south africa has died. he was in prison for 27 years and negotiated an end to white minority rule. tonight people are celebrating his life, a crowd of people have been dance and singing in his memory for hours and that will continue president obama also honored mandell what's memory today. >> . >> he achieved more than could be expected of any man. today he has gone home. >> former president george w bush and former first lady lora bush are among those expressing condolences. they release add statement that read -- president mandela is one of the great, toes for freedom and equality of our time. he bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. that great man will be missed, but his contributions will li onofre. our coverage of nelson mandela continues here on al jazeera america, america tonight with joey chen is up next, and i will see you back here