Zuma's announcement on death of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (L) and his wife Graca Machel attend the inauguration of South African President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, in this May 9, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Pool/Files

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Following is the full text of South African President Jacob Zuma's address to the nation on the death of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela on Thursday:

"My Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation, has departed.