Metro Jacksonville

The world has lost one of the greatest men of his time in the history of the World.

RIP

The light of the world is shining a little dimmer today. Rest in Peace Mr Mandela, the world will move forward by your example.

There are not many with his grace in any generation.  He was a uniting figure not a divisive one for everyone in South Africa and the world despite how he had been treated.

Ghandi, Mandea, the Dali Lama; those few against the spewers of hate and revenge.  They define moral stature.

How satisfying it must have been for him to see the changes in his country because of him.

South Africa, Africa, and the entire world was saved from what could have been a bloodbath because of his efforts.  Now... can we learn?  :-[

certainly a better man than I ever will be.  I would have come out of Robbins Island with guns blazing.  HE certainly saved that country after the lifting of apartheid.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/apr/23/nelsonmandela

His response to post Apartheid rule is definitely a model for other suppressed groups, but one must remember that there were many people in the then ruling government pushing for 100 percent representation nationally. like Gorbachev and Yeltsin, they worked behind the scenes to make sure that transition took place without violence.

Very little is discussed about the internal political struggles that took place in post WW2 South Africa. The ANC was at the table back in 50's but there was a huge level of internal disagreement inside the ANC how they should work with the government in post colonial rule.

Many of the unaddressed issues from that time appeared again once the apartheid govt signaled that they were wanting to make a transition. Issues like tribal laws, homeland governance, etc.

I commend him for working on a very peaceful transition .Unfortunately the leaders coming in behind him have not been as adept or skilled in maintaining public confidence. Graft, corruption, cronyism has been a huge issue. Large promises by politicians followed by no action or token action has left people bewildered.

My father was born about 40 km from Mandelas native land (Transkei) and it is clear that being able to integrate such large diverse set of cultures was something he didn't think possible at one time.  Now I hear nothing but pride in how with Mandela leadership has accomplished it.

But before people rank on the Apartheid govt. one should read the history behind its formation, it's efforts to integrate in the 50s. it's willingness to go at it alone despite sanctions. it's effort to manifest that transition to majority rule. I am not saying they were right or angels in how they dealt with things (just like the ANC they had their oddball extremists too) but it does add to the great story that South Africa will become.

If you look at the transition of power in South Africa and compare it to the "Arab Spring" transition failures you have to conclude that both sides in SA were working toward the same goal.  Even the fall of the Soviet Union wasn't as smooth.

It was a wonderful and rare event.

Maya Angelou