Remembering the Father of the Rainbow Nation
What we can achieve when we are guided by our hopes rather than out fears
At a time of remembrance and celebration of an extraordinary life, how sobering to be in this country that prides itself in its democracy, but who's extreme right wing are actively trying to reduce the right to vote; where the hatred (not too strong a word!) of the President is clearly driven by racism. The hypocrisy by Fox news and the like, who love to set the "record straight" about black people and can't stand having a black president, is quit staggering. Thankfully more sober reflections exist!
"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. He is now resting, he is now at peace" Jacob Zuma
"And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long as I live I will do what I can to learn from him." Barack Obama
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela. His was a life filled with purpose and hope; hope for himself, his country and the world. He inspired others to reach for what appeared to be impossible and moved them to break through the barriers that held them hostage mentally, physically, socially and economically. He made us realize, we are our brothers' keeper and that our brothers come in all colors. What I will remember most about Mr.Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free." Muhammad Ali
"A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death - a true global hero. Meeting him was one of the great honours of my life." David Cameron
"He was a great unifier and a very, very special man in this regard beyond everything else he did. This emphasis on reconciliation was his biggest legacy," F.W. de Klerk
"Today, I am very saddened. Nelson Mandela was one of the most influential people in my life."Edison Arantes do Nascimento
"He wasn't one of the great men of the last century, or of this. He was head and shoulders above anyone else from the last century." Malcolm Fraser
"Through his dignity, grace and the quality of his forgiveness, he made racism everywhere not just immoral but stupid; something not only to be disagreed with, but to be despised. In its place he put the inalienable right of all humankind to be free and to be equal." Tony Blair
"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," George H. W. Bush
"To suggest that South Africa might go up in flames - as some have predicted - is to discredit South Africans and Madiba's legacy. The sun will rise tomorrow, and the next day and the next... It may not appear as bright as yesterday, but life will carry on. As we enter the mourning period, as a nation, we do so with the greatest dignity and respect because that is what we owe Madiba and ourselves." Bishop Desmond Tutu
"All of us are living in a better world because of the life that Madiba lived. He proved that there is freedom in forgiving, that a big heart is better than a closed mind, and that life's real victories must be shared." Bill Clinton
“What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world,” Idris Elba
"Today, the world lost one of the true giants of the past century... a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of human kind," Morgan Freeman
"President Mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time. He bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. This great man will be missed, but his contributions will live on forever." George W. Bush
"We as a society, have been blessed to live in a time that Nelson Mandela has lived, loved, and led. What he has done for his country, his countrymen, and everyone on this planet may not be achieved again… ever.” Dennis Haysbert
"The people of South Africa and human rights advocates around the world have lost a great leader. His passion for freedom and justice crated a new hope for generations of oppressed people worldwide, and because of him, South Africa is today one of the world's leading democracies" Jimmy Carter
