Nelson Mandela

A great man.

I was very moved by the words that he's 'gone home'.

It was laughable to see the online Daily Mail front page last night

'Nelson Mandela - Freedom Fighter'

Not how they described him during his long prison years.

I enjoyed watching David Cameron squirm in having to pay a fulsome tribute.

A day or two of media coverage is surely not too much to bear? Then we will be back to the same old same old news bulletins.

In the meantime, let us celebrate the life of a truly exceptional man

Aka - Jess beat me to it - if you want overkill, look at the Thatcher coverage - and GOK what will happen when the Queen dies( I'll probably have shuffled off by then) and we do remember all the others but in any movement , the leader will get more coverage - think about the resistance for example and Jean Moulin. There were also brave white people tortured and killed by SA - Ruth First for example. None of them are forgotten - Mandela is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil through sustained action. Let us honour him today and the too long cohort of those gone before him. And meanwhile, every time a Tory pays tribute today ( and especially Cameron) I will despise their hypocrisy

He was a great man, he deserves the coverage no he was not a deity but he created a New South Africa and for that deserves to be remembered with love and respect. We must never forget.

A truly great man

R.I.P Mandela

I understand all that Jess and Bluebell and I would never dispute what Mandela achieved. But I stand by my point that others, who played a major role in beating apartheid and who were not so fortunate to live to a ripe old age, have been forgotten by the majority, though not by the minority.
However, I don't want this tribute thread to end up in an argument, so having made my point, and accepted yours, let's move on.
Peace.

An extraordinary and inspiring man.

It would be good to be reminded of the others - there's certainly a film about Biko- Cry Freedom and a film or documentary about Ruth First - would be good to have a series on BBC4 - also Cry the beloved country. Anyone know how it's taught in schools now? Any other films that deal with some of the other heroes?

For anyone who wants a moving and musical moment - I posted this on the other thread last night

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFW7845XO3g

A truly humbling experience to watch, again, the details of Mandela's incredible life.

bluebell, there is little taught in schools about Mandela, to do so would be to teach of the great British Raj , of this countrys part in practicing apartheid and supporting apartheid in SA and other countries .

The coverage is entirely justified for such a great man of our time. I speak as one who is usually furious at the time the media spend on some issues!

.... absolutely Ariadne.
Hugh Edwards was visibly and obviously moved when reading the news last night.
Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to so many, but as President Obama said, 'he no longer belongs to us he belongs to the ages'. Long may he be remembered.

I missed all the coverage because we were out last night but I will be happy to watch it all for a couple of days. RIP Madiba. His book was one of the greatest reads ever and especially moving after visiting Robben Island.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” —Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

A remarkable man . R.I.P

Thank you JessM so moving.

One of my sons in law is South African, when we cut the cake at the wedding (which was decorated with both flags), we sang the National Anthem and NKosi Sikelel'i Africa.

I can't think of any other national anthem that seems to envelop anyone who sings it in such a depth of emotion.

A moving tribute by Desmond Tutu, another great icon of the struggle against apartheid.

Nonnie That's a superb quote isn't it. There is much to learn from this great man's insight.

Isn't it lovely to hear on the news that South Africans are celebrating his life rather than mourning his death.

As others have said, a truly great man and I too like how the South Africans celebrate his life rather than mourning his death.

An amazing man who seemed to be without bitterness or anger when he had every reason to feel both.

broomsticks in his own words, that was because "I realised if I was bitter and filled with hate, I would still be in prison".

Lala kahle, Mnumzane (sleep well, Sir).

RIP Nelson Mandela. He meant so much to so many.

nonnie and grandmanorm I went to South Africa House in Trafalgar Square today and although the queue to sign the condolence book was long, there was much entertainment - for those who joined it - in spurts of joyful song and dance, often sort of impromptu songs made up around the name Mandela.

I had a quiet little 'greet' and went on my way.