Mandela "has departed"

[EdithWeston]

Confirmed by President Zuma

I was born in South Africa and we left when I was wee because of apartheid.

Mandela succeeded in doing what my parents feared believed was impossible: a transition to democracy flawed as it is without a bloodbath.

South Africa was tremendously blessed to have the twin moral titans of Mandela and Tutu.

It was only the other day that I was explaining apartheid and the anti-apartheid movement to my 9 year old.

Exit your post made me cry.

RIP

Inspirational things he said

In particular, 'What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

It feels like the end of an era. We will never forget you and will be ever thankful for the difference you made to the world.
Peace at the end of a hard road.
Thinking of all who knew and truly loved him.

Desperately, desperately sad that he is no longer on this earth. He lived a truly incredible life; his spirit, courage and lack of rancour during and after his captivity were remarkable. Very few international figures gain such stature and respect, or bear those with the grace and dignity he displayed.

Fantastic tribute on BBC.
What an amazing man.

RIP Mandela.

RIP Mr Mandela.

A great, great man.

Incredible man, RIP.

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”

Mandela ws my irst politicl cause at 17. My "Free Nelson Mandela" badge is in my jewellry box.

He did amaing things.

In me, he awkened a hope for justice and peace that has shaped my life and never died.

May his long walk go on and on, building the road to enduring freedom, justice and peace.

A hero.

Hamba kakuhle, Madiba... Go well, Madiba. South Africa's heart is broken tonight but your great strength, courage and wisdom will be held close for many, many years to come.

Love and light, Sir x

RIP

A truly courageous, inspirational man, whose legacy is a whole country.

My thoughts are with his family and with the nation of South Africa - the rainbow nation.

Rest in peace.

Amazing man

RIP
A great man. The world is a lesser place without him

I am honoured to have grown up with Nelson Mandela as one of the most important and influential international political figures of our time. RIP.

Im posting here again what I wrote elsewhere. This thread has been wonderfully supportive. But I want to try explain as a South African why this is such a sad day for us.

Mandela is not a stranger. For every South African he's like a father or grandfather. Intellectually we may agree that it's a relief for him, but we are sad and emotional because , irrationally, we wanted him to live forever. He touched people in South Africa in way that is almost impossible to explain. South Africans all over the world will be genuinely mourning for a man who personally changed our lives

Every South African has a Madiba story - the day they met him, or waved at him, or saw him. He was real to us in a way regular politicians/ royalty/ celebrity just aren't.

So sad tonight. At 95 we can't complain he's gone, but still. It feels like an end to another time. RIP Mandela.

RIP Sir.

I can't help but think there will be trouble ahead without Mr Mandela's peaceful influence to keep a calming hand on those who may have ulterior motives :-(