Nelson Mandela has died

[PacificDogwood]

RIP

He was the first proper hero of mine

Reported - glad my insomnia is good for something!

an impossibly hard act to follow...

I'm sure Madiba will be very pleased for her

Have been watching the family arriving for the memorial service this morning. Touching to see his 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren arriving with their families, and other friends and wider family.

Ah, arriving for the beginning of the lying in state today, before the funeral on Friday I believe - Memorial Service was yesterday in Johannesburg? (missed the News last night)

A group of friends of mine are off to the stadium today for the memorial service. The tickets are gone (they were free but went quickly) so we're not going unfortunately. The local council has opened up a condolence book here in my area so we're going to sign that instead. I can tell I'm going to have to draw on my British ancestry for a stiff upper lip!

Miserable cynic that I am, I'm always the first one to mutter when someone says they're "devastated" about the death of some famous person they've never met. I always think - well yes it's devastating for their children or family and close friends but not for you, you numpty!

But now I find myself with this huge lump in my throat every time I switch on the TV! I'm having to eat my words! Part of it is just the amazing atmosphere here in SA at the moment. In the shops they've got big screens up of all the proceedings and it's just lovely to see everyone, all colours of the rainbow, watching together and chatting. Lots of people just very moved by it all.

Absolutely disgraceful and disrespectful behaviour by Cameron and Obama, seen taking selfies of themselves during a memorial service.

Here.

Ignorant and I don't care how long the service was or how bored they were.

I don't think it was a biggie myself - but there's a whole thread about it for those who are interested

Have a look at this tribute by the Soweto Gospel Choir - flash mob style. Ex-South Africans living abroad: get the tissues ready - you have been warned!

www.thesouthafrican.com/featured/incredible-flashmob-tribute-to-madiba-in-woolworths.htm

That's wonderful wordsmith - a perfect tribute I'm sure he'd have loved

Same song with Madiba singing along - amazing - see

The lyrics Asimbonang' uMandela thina in English mean "We have not seen Mandela".

The song was written in 1986 during the state of emergency when NM was in prison of course. The lyrics then go on to list activists who died in detention - Steve Biko, Neil Agget, etc. All of whom were not seen anymore at that terrible time - and now of course the song has special poignancy because we will no longer see Madiba.

God, I'm finished - a snivelling wreck. I need to stop posting now and go and blow my nose very hard.

Full lyrics here for anyone who likes poetry - see songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858701028/

Bless you wordsmith for what may be a lovely end to a great thread

Thank you Wordsmith.

I'm always stuck by Mandela's smile. Such a big smile.

Heavens above, wordsmith, the link to that flashmob had me sobbing at my desk at work - and I am not SA.

Lovely, just lovely, thank you for linking and sharing .