News of politician Nelson Mandela’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the June 2013 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, Nobel Peace Prize 1993 is alive and well.

UPDATE 16/06/2013 : This story seems to be false. (read more) source[/quote]

Nelson Mandela death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the politician’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Nelson Mandela’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the South African politician’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (June 14, 2013), our beloved politician Nelson Mandela passed away. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 94-year-old politician was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major South African network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a politician of Nelson Mandela's stature would be major news across networks.

Nelson Mandela Death Hoax Dismissed Since Politician Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (June 15) the politician's reps officially confirmed that Nelson Mandela is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved politician. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.






http://en.mediamass.net/people/nelson-mandela/deathhoax.html

At 94, the man is old but I dont understand why people wont wait for him to go at his appointed time. It's a pity that some people are just too anxious to spread bad news. Haba!