So Very Sad, Nelson Mandela …

18 July 1918 – 5 December 2015

Whatever name you knew him by, Mandela his “English” name, Rolihlahla meaning “troublemaker”  … Madiba, his clan name, Dalibhunga his grown up name denoting ‘convenor of the dialogue’, Khulu, meaning “Great One” or Tata, meaning ‘father’ a term of endearment used by so many South Africans …  this extraordinary man was inspirational.

cc by South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za

Let us never forget, his momentous fight against discrimination, his relentless determination to reconcile a broken nation, his heroic struggle against adversity, his generosity, his compassion, even towards his jailors, his remarkable and amazing life.  A father, a teacher, a charmer, a man loved by women and men alike, an exceptional orator and a natural leader with a great sense of humour.

That his family fight over his remains is perhaps the biggest tragedy of all …

On 4th August earlier this year, as I wrote of Nelson Mandela  in my  ‘They Made a Difference series‘… I knew many of us were sad to hear he was fading and now he has gone.

May Nelson Mandela rest in peace … the world will surely mourn the passing of this genuine and gentle man … a revolutionary who became a peacemaker … undoubtedly the greatest man of our times …