Forty-first President George H.W. Bush prematurely announced former South African President Nelson Mandela's death Sunday morning.

The mix-up happened when President Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath misread a Washington Post news flash.

'The 41 stmnt sent this morning was the result of my mis-reading the header on the WaPo news flash. Stupid mistake by me. Apologies to all,' Mr McGrath tweeted Sunday morning.

The 41 stmnt sent this morning was the result of my mis-reading the header on the WaPo news flash. Stupid mistake by me. Apologies to all.

— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) September 1, 2013

The original statement read: 'Barbara and I mourn the passing of one of the greatest believers in freedom we have had the privilege to know. As President, I watched in wonder as Nelson Mandela had the remarkable capacity to forgive his jailers following 26 years of wrongful imprisonment — setting a powerful example of redemption and grace for us all. He was a man of tremendous moral courage, who changed the course of history in his country. Barbara and I had great respect for President Mandela, and send our condolences to his family and countrymen.'

The South African presidency corrected the statement, saying Mandela is still alive.

'It is clearly incorrect. We see it as an error on his side' and aren't going to 'make a big deal about it' presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

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