JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela, fighting against apartheid as a hero, one of the 20th century's most prominent political figures, died of complications from a lung infection at 8:50 p.m. local time on Thursday in his Houghton home at the age of 95.

After the message was broadcast, South African people with different skin colors began to gather in the middle of the night here, for sending their best wishes and farewells to Mandela for the last time. The first group of people came here to pay their respect to Mandela and his legacy with singing national songs quietly.

The night weather was gloomy and cold because of the stuck of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. It did feel like summer, and many media reporters changed in their thick coats. Dozens of police cars and police guards held up security-line around a few blocks away from Mandela house.

In the air, a police helicopter was swirling and passing over the head of the crowd from time to time, giving out a deafening roar sound. From 11 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. in the Friday morning, the size of the crowd near the house has remained around 600 people.

The emotion of the crowd began to build up, and the atmosphere was going from quiet sadness to a more lively celebration, during which the song of the national anthem of South Africa was replaced by more African-style drum beat songs, and people started dancing to celebrate the great life Mandela had lived.

Flags, candles, flowers, Mandela's pictures were appearing more and more in people's hands, and a few people even climbed on the trees beside the street to show their emotions.

Media reporters and their equipment dotted in the crowd, and the street ground was covered with tangled signal lines, while the police officers patrolled around their lines back and forth, and from time to time stopped "border crossers" with very sever face.

In the crowd, some were nearby neighbors, and some came all the way from other towns. There were students, teachers, business owners and home servants. There are sleeping babies in their mothers' arms, a boy sitting on his father's shoulder, and a patient with a broken leg wrapped in bandages.

Candice Mazibuko, a 17-year-old black high school student, told Xinhua that she came here to pay tribute to Mandela using her song and dance.

"Mandela definitely went to heaven, as such a good person. Mandela is like a father to me. Without him life would not be as good as it is now. I have been here for three hours. This is the last chance to say goodbye to Mandela, and I can't miss this," Mazibuko said.

Local media worker Derek Watts told Xinhua that this is a historic moment, and many people will woke up in a different world, with media around the world would broadcast back Mandela's life and relive the meaning of democracy and peace.

Agnes Mkhonto, a black teacher, came here with friends from Soweto to commemorate this moment. She was in the parade singing and dancing with others.

"I will be here till dawn. I am now very sad, so I wants to use my song to celebrate Mandela's life. Mandela is the pillar, leader and father of this nation. His death does not mean the end of democracy in South Africa," Mkhonto told Xinhua.

"The people here come from different places, have different skin colors, but show the same respect to Mandela. South Africa will continue the spirit of Mandela, and this rainbow nation will be more united," Mkhonto said.

Chris Mtonga, a black business development manager, come from 10 km away to catch up this moment with his nephew and niece. He told Xinhua that Mandela had a wonderful life, Mandela did his best for the country, and he is the all time world greatest black people ever.

Vassie Aboo, surrounded by a South African national flag style scarf around her neck, she said that she loves this country and Mandela. She used to come pray for Mandela when he was very sick.

"I am very sad. It came too soon. I hoped Mandela's spirit and character can be partially merged into South Africa, which can make this country a better place," Aboo said.

Muhammad Sindhi, working in a local bank, said that "Mandela led us to come here. He contributes greatly to the great future of South Africa. Mandela's death is a great loss, but the country has been running with him for over ten years, and now it is time that we realize the dream of Mandela. It will be realized."

Most of the people here believe the ANC would gain some sympathy votes for next year's general election.

"Mandela is a symbol of the South African government, and his death may expose the government's own problems. The government has to find other ways to enhance trust. However, this will not produce any real impact," Watts said

"After Mandela left, South Africa will become more united, and the ANC will get more sympathy votes for next year's election," Mtonga said.