Morning to hear this anticipated but still sad and shocking news. Absolutely right, brian. Anticipated. Expected. Predictable but painful nonetheless. As i look around, the crowds here have grown to maybe 400 or 500 people. Mainly South Africans who were born after the birth of democracy. The socalled born frees who have no memory of the darkest years of ar par tide. They are singing and celebrating his life rather than mourning his death because, of course, his death was not in any way surprising coming almost six months to the day since he was admitted to hospital with very serious respiratory illness. People here celebrating his life, life of the man perhaps the world respects and reveres. Nelson mandela said, himself, im not a saint but a sinner who keeps on trying. Nevertheless, there is perhaps no one in this world who in the modern age has been more revered and more respected and because of that, what he gave South Africans, because of the free nation that was born under his presidency, people are coming out on to the streets and singing and cheering loudly but not a Single Person here is crying. This is a celebration of Nelson Mandelas life. Nelson mandela dead at the age of 95, brian. Starting us off from outside the family home in suburban. Thank you very much. Again, we go to nbc news special correspondent charlayne huntergault. Exactly what you said in the first half hour coming true on that suburban street in johannesburg. No one is crying. Talk about the paternal hold this man had on the population and now the celebration of his life. Hes the most beloved man in the world especially in south africa, even among the young people out there who are called born frees. They were born after the end of apartheid. Many like our born frees in america who dont remember much about the Civil Rights Movement dont remember much about his life. They know what he stood for. I think, you know, today in south africa, even when people wake up in the morning because most people dont know hes transitioned and i use that word because in south africa, people dont talk about death and dying. They talk about transitioning and its a happy time, and im sure theyre going to be celebrating his life. I hope they will be teaching, teaching, teaching what Nelson Mandela stood for. This is a moment to teach. Its a teachable moment. As much as it is a moment to reflect and think about what Nelson Mandela has meant to the world and to these young people who can sing in that neighborhood where they used to not even be able to go without a pass, the black ones. Its that kind of thing that Nelson Mandela did away with that we need to remember. Those young people could not have gone into that neighborhood a this time of night without a pass before Nelson Mandela and his people liberated the country. So thats what theyre, you know, representing now. Charlayne, how far back did your life and knowledge of Nelson Mandela go . Well, i first went to south africa in 1985 and snuck around to look at the prison where he was being held. But i also talked to people on both sides when it was the darkest time, when the white minority was still insisting on supremacy. I first met mandela four, five days after he got out of prison in his backyard. And he was just wonderful. And when i told him, trying to get something between the two of us that i came out of the Civil Rights Movement the first thing hi said to me, oh, did you know miss maya angelo . I couldnt wait to get back to america and tell maya. Charlayne, thank you very much for being with us tonight and helping us to remember as we said, reaction to the news of mandelas death pouring in from around the globe. Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell tracking all of it tonight from our washington bureau. And andrea, what a public life. What a public life. And the measure of the man, the measure of his influence. His life. Is how the world reacted tonight. He transformed his world and ours inspiring millions including president s and future kings. Tweeting a favorite picture of bill clinton wrote, ill never forget my friend. Using the affectionate name by which he was known to his followers. Prince william and his wife, duchess of cambridge, were at the film, long walk to freedom. Tragic news. Were reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family right now. Reporter tonight britains Prime Minister david cameron. Tonight one of the brightest lights of our world has gone out. Nelson mandela was not just a hero of our time, but a hero of alltime. Reporter president bush 41 wrote as president i watched in wonder as Nelson Mandela had the remarkable capacity to forgive his jailers. Setting a powerful example of redemption and grace for us all. President george w. Bush wrote president mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time. Mandela set an example by visiting new zealand, forgiving the country that sent its rugby team to play south africa during the apartheid years. Tonight the Prime Minister of new zealand, john key wrote, mr. Mandela was a force for change not only in south africa, but around the world. Reacting tonight, muhammad ali wrote, his was a spirit born free. Destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free. New yorks Cardinal Dolan wrote, Nelson Mandela was a hero to the world. His bravery in defending human rights against the great evil of apartheid made him a symbol of courage and dignity as well as an inspiration to people everywhere. And mandelas great friend, Archbishop Foundation wrote in his name his fearless generosity and leadership were in the service of transcending our differences by seeking our oneness as human beings. And heres the new York Magazine cover, a tribute to the young mandela, young freedom fighter. Tonight, bono, mandelas great supporter and friend wrote, in the end, Nelson Mandela showed us how to love rather than hate, not because he never surrendered to rage or violence but because he learned love would do a better job. Andrea mitchell in our d. C. Bureau tonight. Andrea, thanks. Continuing this theme, after a break, we will hear some certainly reflections from president obama. We are back with more of our coverage of the passing late today of Nelson Mandela at the age of 95. As weve been saying all evening long, reaction is pouring in including some emotional comments from president obama delivered in the Briefing Room in the white house west wing. For more on that, our chief White House Correspondent chuck to d is standing by on the north lawn tonight. When you look at the timeline, Nelson Mandela springs together so Many American president s. Reporter he does. Sort of passing the baton. But theres something about the connection that president obama himself feels with nelson mande mandela. Its something that he shared tonight in a very powerful and poignant statement. I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandelas life. My very First Political action, the first thing i ever did that involved an issue or policy or politics was a protest against apartheid. I would study his words and his writings. The day he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when theyre guided by their hopes and not by their fears. And like so many around the globe, i cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set. And so long as i live, i will do what ki to learn from him. Reporter since the president learned of the news, brian, and we can show the white house release this photo, the president himself has been watching all the coverage sort of digesting it the way a lot of us are today as a way to remember Nelson Mandela. Chuck todd from the white house for us tonight. Thanks. And were happy once again were joined by Nelson Mandelas biographer, rick stengel, former editing manager of Time Magazine who had the privilege of living with Nelson Mandela and compiling both books. We see the Time Magazine cover story, this being thursday night, you being the former boss at time. I guess they crashed an issue. We had that it was already done. And we knew this day was coming. And nancy gibbs, the editor of time had it ready. Id written my piece a long time ago. Its a beautiful, great collection. And thats one of my very favorite pictures of him on the cover. I was looking back at some of the single word quotes youve used over the years to describe this man. Meticulous, a power charmer, stubborn, golden, luminous. Youve also cautioned, though, about the use of the word saint. And its not too early in our remembrance to point out especially to the generation that came up after his story was well known that his organization the anc was not a nonviolent organization. It was rough and he surrounded himself with some rough people. Right. He started out being nonviolent. And when he realized that the anc wasnt getting anywhere close to its mission, the group of leaders of the anc decided we need to become a military organization. And he started spear of the nation which was the military wing of the anc. And he taught himself. He read generals. He read caesar. He learned that like he learned everything. And it went against his grain, but again, as i was saying before, he had one overarching goal. And whatever got to that goal, he would do. Even embracing violence. As you showed earlier, he refused to not embrace violence to get out of prison. Because he said i cant negotiate while im in prison. That was the leverage he had. And he understood that. When youre in south africa as you know better than most, you dont hear mandela as much as you hear madiba. And as i was saying to charlayne, its parental, its paternal, this relationship even with the born free generation. Its hard to describe. Yes. Its one of the things ive always thought that people dont quite understand about him. And one of the paradoxes is hes a revolutionary. He was a socialist, but he also embraced that historical tradition of africa. He was the son of a head man who was appointed by the white overseers. When his father died, he was raised by the king. He had this aristocratic upbringing. Even when they wanted to get rid of tribalism as it was called, he said no. He had this great fundamental duality about him which is what made him so large and so wonderful. Rick stengel, the biographer of Nelson Mandela. Youve helped us so much here in the effort to look back and remember this towering figure. Thank you for being with us. Another look at the days news right after this break. Again, full disclosure here. Before the news broke from south africa, we had a full broadcast of news. Theres no shortage of it. Starting with what the National Weather service fears could be a catastrophic weather event right on through the center of the country. Some places could get sustained icing of upwards of 12 to 18 hours. Thatll mean Power Outages in the cold weather. Nbc meteorologist dylan dreyer is in fort smith, arkansas, between little rock and tulsa. What can you tell us from there . Reporter good evening, brian. We have had freezing rain here since 9 00 a. M. We still have several more hours to go. Its actually coming down very hard right now. We are expecting at least a half an inch of ice developing from texas to tennessee with possibly an inch of ice in oklahoma and here in arkansas. This is the type of ice that coats everything. The trees and the power lines. And we could end up with tens of thousands without power. Roads could become impassable. And unfortunately another storm system is coming into the same area on sunday. Brian . Thank you very much for that. The other major story we prepared to cover today was the protest by fast food workers in dozens of American Cities demanding the federal minimum wage be raised to 15 an hour. Our report from joe fryer in los angeles. Reporter fast food workers walked off the job today pushing for the First Federal minimum wage increase in four years. They braved frigid temps in denver and Rainy Weather in atlanta while protesters in other cities simply moved their chants inside. Catching like wildfire all throughout the country. Nobodys ever really seen anything like this. Reporter Sandy Velazquez skipped her shift at a mcdonalds in los angeles. Yes, i was nervous. Reporter she has three children. About 25 of all fast food workers are raising kids. Sometimes they can, mom, can you buy me this and i dont have enough money. Reporter like 52 of fast food workers she relies on some public assistance. I work hard. When i get my paycheck at the end of the week, its not enough to survive. Its like an insult. Reporter mcdonalds employee steven rojas says he cant find a job in his field. At 23 years old, half the workers had his age. 8 is not cutting it. Reporter that generates a salary of barely 17,000 a year. As for todays protesters, many were not fast food workers. Some were even bussed in by labor groups drawing criticism. The activities today really are kind of made for tv protests. Reporter the fast Food Industry argues a 15 wage is too high. Prices would have to go up and less jobs would be created. Reporter in a statement mcdonalds says we respect the right to voice an opinion. Some customers would pay more to help workers. Buts a this man pulled away, he said 15 may be too much. Joe fryer, nbc news, los angeles. And when we come back, a conversation i had with Nelson Mandela almost 20 years ago on one of the signature days of his extraordinary life. Lets take you back to the scene. This is live whats now early friday morning. Sue bourban johannesburg, the crowd outside nel san mandelas house. We now want to take you back almost 20 years to an april morning in 1994 in a hotel suite in johannesburg. Nelson mandela had been elected president the night before, and i had the honor of being the First Western journalist that day to shake his hand and sit down and talk with him. Mandela showed no bitterness or anger. He was famous for that. No thought of revenge when i asked him about his predecessor f. W. De klerk, he spoke only of reconciliation and working together. Our relations with mr. De klerk are fairly good. And he is one of those republicans i hold in high regard. We have had some differences. We have quarreled. We have said cruel things against each other. But at the end of the day, we are able to shake hands and think of the interest of south africa. And he has had that experience which i have not had. And if my organization comes out with majority in the elections, i will have to depend very much on his support, his experience. What happens when Nelson Mandela has to use force against elements of south africas black community . Are you willing and able to take on the political pressures that will take place . I dont expect a government as well as governments would rely as a solution on force. We depend on the people. And i dont realize any period we will have to use force. Lets talk about this word expectation. It has become almost an expression. Something you hear throughout your country. That the whites expect to lose everything they have, the status quo. How do you control the game of expectations on both sides . The fear and the concern by the whites and other minorities is genuine. And it is our task to address them. But you must understand that in order to deliver the goods, it cannot be done overnight. It is going to take a year, two years, even as much as five years. The important thing is that after the results have been announced, the process of modernizing a country to address its problems will start. That was april of 94. Mandela dead today at the age of 95. Thank you for being with us for our extended broadcast tonight. Good night. Od night. Captions by vitac www. Vitac. Com right now at 6 30, remembering Nelson Mandela and his connection to the bay area. From south africa, to the United States, the world is in mourning tonight. This is a live picture of the white house where the flag is at halfstaff in mandelas honor. Good evening, thanks your phoning us. Im diane dwyer. Jessica has the night off. Im raj mathai. Were on later this evening following a special edition of nightly news. He taught the world to forgive by example. One of the millions of people he touched, president obama, who addressed the nation late this afternoon. For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived. A man who took history in his hands and bent the ark of the moral universe toward justice. We want to show you live pictures now outside of mandelas home in south africa. It is now about 4 30 friday morning in johannesburg. That city will soon be waking up to this news. These people have been singing, praying and celebrating the life of this legendary man. He lived thousands of miles away, but mandelas impact reaches here in the bay area. Stephanie chuang joins us in oakland. The memories are vivid of the co