Fri Dec 13, 2013

by Herbert Young
Former Ambassador
and Foreign Minister

Nelson Mandela will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders in history. His remarkable life on planet earth saw him imprisoned for some 27 years for advocating equal rights and justice for his people.{{more}}

From the inception of the evil system of apartheid, he fought to free the black South Africans from the scourge of this iniquitous and oppressive policy. After his release from prison, he could have influenced a civil war that would have devastated his nation, but he forgave his enemies and ensured that peace and goodwill prevailed.

His message of reconciliation, not vengeance, inspired the world after he negotiated a peaceful end to apartheid and urged forgiveness for the white government that imprisioned him. In his lifetime, he became a lawyer, a militant freedom fighter, a unifying figure after his imprisionment, president of South Africa and elder statesman. Nelson Mandela became the nation’s conscience as it healed from the scars of segregation.

After his retirement as president, Mandela was considered the ideal head of state. He became a yardstick for African leaders, who consistently fall short when measured against him. He was a great icon of magnanimity and forgiveness and a man of tremendous courage and wisdom. He was not only a man for all seasons, but truly one for all ages. The true hallmark of his greatness was his humility.

It was a privilege and honour to have met this great human being and I shall always remember his ever-present smile and his words of wisdom.

On behalf of my family, I extend deepest condolences to the Mandela family and the people of South Africa. Rest in peace, Madiba.