David
Cameron is quoted as saying (on hearing of the death of Nelson Mandela), ‘A
great light has gone out in the world’. I would say that a great light has
shone upon the world through his physical lifetime, and that light will continue to shine and inspire
generations to come. He is indeed a great torch bearer for humankind.
As the
tributes to this amazing man pour in from around the world, we must all be
touched by his extraordinary example of courage, forbearance and unconditional
love. After twenty-seven years of imprisonment, his thoughts were of
forgiveness and how to help South
Africa forward in a new era. His vision was
and I believe always will be, a vision of universal brotherhood, race with
race, religion with religion, country with country.
In some
ways maybe in his death, he will be giving the world as much as he gave in his
lifetime, as the new generations hear afresh about what he thought and what he
achieved, as the media put their spotlight upon him. ‘All nations have to learn
to live together in harmony’ was his message. ‘He was prepared to die for his
cause’ was a quote from a close associate. Maybe, indeed, in his dying, his
vision will be fulfilled.
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