Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 RIP

A great man indeed!

Rest In Peace at last.

Oh no!

A great humanitarian.

Jason.

Terribly sad - if not entirely unexpected - that he has died, but let us be thankful for the fact that he lived.

A truly inspiration human being. May He Rest In Peace.

An inspiration to millions.   R.I.P. Nelson

Superb and characteristically thoughtful article by Max Hastings in the Mail, here:

Click

Very sad, hope the media keep it in perspective and not get carried away. I doubt it though.

Mandela was known for his love of sport and this was one of his more compelling quotes:

 “Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” 

Curious to me that some use the word 'sad' to describe the death of such a special man, considering he lived 95 years and affected so much positive social change in his life.

Sad that we have to put up with the usual tripe in the media when someone of Mandelas magnitude passes.

Sad for the future of south Africa now he is gone. What's wrong with sad? Life ain't a bed of roses all the time.

Great things were achieved because of him and he should be remembered and respected because of those things.

I was amused to read his middle name though and can't help wondering whether history may have been different if he'd gone by that name rather than Nelson.

"Ladies & Genetlemen, please be upstanding for 'Roly-La-La'... " just doesn't have the same ring to it does it?

Still, perhaps a rose by any other name and all that...

Lets hope after the initial eulogizing that the S. African government, A.N.C. officials, and other political parties don’t forget his aims and hopes for his country. The greatest tribute to Mandela’s life and memory would be to keep them alive.

I was there 17 years ago, but after returning recently, there were still stark contrasts in the wealth of the population. There’s still a lot to be done. However at least Mandela didn’t take S. Africa down the same road as Mugabi.

Someone on television news put it very well saying that although it causes great sadness when such a man dies, it gives cause to celebrate his life.

Nelson Mandela was a fighter for justice, liberty, and freedom. He was also a great peacemaker, this world needs more people like him.

Debs

Debs beat me too it. A life fulfilled, a life to celebrate not mourn, and a legacy to remember as S Africa moves on.

Bruce

In a world where personal FREEDOM and its partner CHOICE is valued above all else, he sacrificed 27 years of his own to fight for the freedom of others...extraordinary!

Jason.

Good to see 'call me Dave' has changed his views from demanding Nelson's life,  to praising it.

London Mayor, Boris Karloff was patching up on the old Tory racist party policy with a charm offensive too,

...must be an election coming.

He *is* a saint.

^^^ Who? Boris?  

Nelson Mandela was a breed apart from most African politicians. He was very considered in his opinions and conciliatory in his actions, even after his time in prison. South Africa could have been a very different place without him.