Remembering an icon

The country, and the world, will forever remember Nelson Mandela – our great ‘Tata’, the man who managed to bring South Africans together. A man who put his country before his own life, a man who inspired and loved, a man who saw a country on its knees, and created a nation we can all be proud of.

When news of Mandela’s death broke, people from around the world went into mourning. Petrol attendants, journalists, builders, school children and business people found themselves united in their tears. South Africa has lost a gem, but Mandela’s legacy will never be forgotten.

Mandela had the ability to change the way South Africans of all races, genders and ages thought. Because of him, we are a united, forgiving and loving nation. Watching the news and reading the articles that have surfaced as a result of Madiba’s death, one cannot help but feel patriotic. Mandela is South African’s hero and no one can take that away from us. He will remain a man who, even in his death, makes people want to strive for greatness.

Mandela said in his autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom, “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realising that all along they are being directed from behind.” This is what our Tata did for us. He has lead and guided us – even after he stepped down as President of South Africa and retired from public life; and he continues to do so, even in death.