Nelson Mandela has died, aged an impressive 95 years of age and school children around the world will be called to assembly to hear more of this man's most incredible life.
I watched his walk to freedom on 11 February 1990 on television. I was at Wembley on 16 April 1990 for the International Tribute for a Free South Africa concert... one of the most moving moments of my life. He walked onto the stage and he was unable to speak for a full eight minutes and we cheered, and cried and chanted. And all the while, he had that serene, humble smile radiating brilliant joy and happiness and love.
He fought, he never gave up and he changed the lives of millions forever.
His great friend Ahmed Kathrada, with whom he shared his prison sentence on Robben Island couldn't say it any better... "We have known each other for 67 years, and I never imagined I’d be witness to the unavoidable and traumatic reality of your passing. I had the enviable privilege of being alive and walking the earth with you through the bad times and the good. It has been a long walk, with many challenges that at times seemed insurmountable. And yet we never faltered, and the strength of leaders like you and Walter (Sisulu, the ANC Secretary General) always shone a light on the path and kept our destination and our people’s future in view."
We will never, ever forget...
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