Truly a big man has gone, always a smile on the face and a big hart, what you dont see with any politicians. RIP Mandela,

In 2003 I had the privilege to stand in his cell 46664 on Robben Island. 27 years ..... quite a reflection and inspiration for what followed.

When asked by Australia's PM , Bob Hawke " you need the support of your bankers, investors , controllers of capital and those that wronged you, how will you do it? ; his reply with a smile was :

" I will not forget, but I will forgive "

Greatest of men. Long live Mandela. RIP

I'm searching for words but they often times escape me so I'll resort to what I understand best. Numbers.

It should be crystal clear that Le Jeune (young in English) Mandala was a Microcosmic reflection of the Macrocosmic love and light.

46(6)64

Let's not let that essence escape from us...

Well I have a different opinion of him and it isn't what has been posted above.
Nice little ole video with him leading a song.
[youtube.com...]

That's odd. Very odd. How does something like that stay out of mainstream knowledge? It's confusing. It doesn't add up.

sevenCubed it was in the mainstream just some or the news you reviewed chose to censor it. I just wanted to make it know what you see isn't what you might know.
http: // www.frontpagemag.com/2013/arnold-ahlert/the-gruesome-reality-of-racist-south-africa/
Interesting read.
The reason I know more about this my son was going to college with a person from Africa when it changed over, and we were able to visit with his family that lived there at this period in time. We continue to communicate with them today, but they had to leave the country due to being targeted because of the color of their skin.

No takers?

I did point out above Le Jeune Mandala, not Mandela, we are talking about something different.

Mandala is a spiritual symbol representing the Universe.

When one lives within the Mandala there is only love, no reservations, no fear, no hatred.

When in doubt about the authenticity of something we observe, because we may not see the full story, we should always make haste slowly when being critical. Forgiveness is always the path to take when in doubt. Can't go wrong.

Did anyone reading this pump their fist thinking I was stumbling? Maybe in their heart?

Beyond what I'm saying above, after watching the video a few times I didn't get the impression he was leading the song. He may have started it, but there was no enthusiasm in his participation. Neither was he the first to pump his fist. Puts enough doubt in my mind that a possibility exists he was being blackmailed with someone holding a gun to him.

It wouldn't be the first time someone of stature who is trying to bring about peaceful change is held hostage by misfits who want revenge. I see that happening right now this very minute in the world today.

No takers yea ya got one me.

SevenCubed

I didn't get the impression he was leading the song.

Thank you!
Being part of a lynch mob even though you don't think hanging the person is right and don't take the steps to stop or intervene in the hanging constitutes acceptance. He accepted the song and the words to his followers, this is the same thing. He might not have wanted this and the following murders, but he didn't have the guts to stop it either, so if he wanted it or not he promoted it by being a part of it. To me he is as guilty as the ones that did the act.

Well I have a different opinion of him

Me as well, however a person has died and there is no doubt that he changed the lives of many people and leaves behind a family and friends.

I expect there wil be a book or ten on the subject in next few months.

I have no doubt there was a certain greatness about him but I strongly object to the over-the-top media coverage. It was unnecessary for the BBC to extend their normal news bulletin only to fill it with endless people saying what a great man he was. It was also unnecessary and very annoying to have a day of BBC news radio filled with interviews and quotes from Z-list "celebrities" who (for instance) met him in a lift once years ago but feel qualified to give us their fatuous interpretation of the man's character.

Old_Honky I will tell you this my flag isn't lowered and won't be.

I don't even have a flag. IMHO Samuel Johnson got it right "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel".

If I had one it would be at full height.

Deleted my post really this is getting to political. I am done here nothing else to say.

To be honest guys and girls, I prefer the "great" legacy for which those celebrating his life have chosen.

And my choice is measured by the challenge his nation faced. Man on man, division against division. He choose unity and a path against stigma [ HIV ], violence [ political and racists divisions] . He was not interested by personal wealth at the expense of others and used his skill to bring extremist views away from fear and loathing, towards love and strength. He dedicated himself to the cause of rebuilding his nation, a cause he expressed in Court, that if necessary, he was prepared to die for.

I recall in a small hotel in Livingstone, Zambia in Africa , watching a live TV stream to Mandela's house where he was celebrating his 80th birthday surrounded by kids. I was with my family. A journalist asked him where did you get that colourful knitted jumper/sweater ; to which he answered , although I am without money, I have been dressed by plenty of friends. That's how a person gets really rich and lives in peace with themselves and those around.

For those that don't know, African tribes were against African tribes, whites were on whites , tribes on whites and vice versa - this was a nation on a powder keg, about to explode. And the smart folks knew they had to have a leader that would avert this.

I'm so glad that Google pinned a link under the search box today hyperlinked :

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, 1918 – 2013 [archives.nelsonmandela.org...]

Of the thousands that met him personally, from those in a mud hut [bbc.co.uk...] to Bill and Melinda Gates [facebook.com...] few can disagree on him being a standout that provided a legacy for the future. Good against extremist tyranny and wrongdoing which will continue to challenge us in this World to which we all belong - and directly, or indirectly, are all accountable for.

Melinda and I admired Nelson Mandela, as the world did, for his courageous stand against apartheid. But we came to know him personally for a different reason: the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He was especially powerful in speaking out against stigma. In many countries, especially in the early years of the HIV epidemic, there was a lot of misinformation about how the virus was passed. Some people were afraid to touch a person with HIV.

President Mandela knew how damaging that was. He knew it made fighting the epidemic harder, and it wrecked the lives of people suffering from the disease. He also knew the stigma was just based on fear and ignorance. He thought he could make a difference by teaching people the facts.
[thegatesnotes.com...]

On Webmasterworld we have folks from all sorts of backgrounds and faiths, beliefs and non beliefs, minority interests and views. We have small business persons and big business persons. They come from poor nations and rich nations. Some are well , some are not. Some are conventional and some are not. Who cares. It's the substance of the intent that counts in bringing us together, not just for self benefit, but by making this a happier place to interact and build knowledge.

So in the context of that, and in the context of Madiba's far higher calling, I stand firm in my applause of a man who represented, in such a dignified way, the reconciliation of a divided nation, and a divided World.

...... And I never met the man, but know plenty who did. Wish I had, but so do millions of others. Touched.

I looked it up. The key word is best rendered as "Boers". Once you know this, it is no longer necessary to disregard the evidence of your senses.