R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

[goldandblack]

the loss of a great man.

[arana peligrosa]

Probably the most influential world leader of the twentieth century, and to be that, you got to go some.

25 years of captivity, the struggle against apartheid, became nation president against all odds, provided the country with liberation, always remained resolute and dedicated to the cause. You run out of superlatives with a figure such as he was.

RIP to a colossus of a fighter and great individual.

[goldandblack]

Probably the most influential world leader of the twentieth century, and to be that, you got to go some.

25 years of captivity, the struggle against apartheid, became nation president against all odds, provided the country with liberation, always remained resolute and dedicated to the cause. You run out of superlatives with a figure such as he was.

RIP to a colossus of a fighter and great individual.

agree with all that manningtree, I don't think we will ever see another like him. Politicians around the world should take note of his views and beliefs.

[phily bon bon]

Agreed entirely with the above, a man that always asked what he could do to better his country, not what it owed him. Most world leaders would never be fit enough to tie his shoelaces.
Obamas speech was a great epitaph to a great great man.

[arana peligrosa]

If everyone who read this would give Mr Mandela some honor or simply say a few words after his passing, it would of been more of a thread or something deserving for a man of such intergrity and iconic figures of world history.

I think that's the thing with death. When it's someone we don't always recognize, or maybe feel for, there's this certain level of apathy or acceptance, or better put, "well it didn't happen to me, so f*ck that, it's someone elses business, they can deal with it" philosophy.

It's only when it hits closer to home or someone (could be anyone reading this now) suffers an incident that it takes on more form and only then becomes relevant. Only goes to show you can only bury your head in the sand for so long. Yes was alluding to a recent personal experience but stand by those thoughts. I guess maybe death effects people in different ways and circumstances.

RIP once again to Mr Mandela. A supreme individual.

[Charnwood]

Having sat in his prison cell on Robben Island, visited his home in Soweto, and read his autobiography "Long Road to Freedom" I felt some connection with his passing away and was deeply saddened even though it had been expected for some time.

I was worried there would be trouble on the streets of South Africa but instead his ANC followers have been celebrating his life which is exactly the right way to react for a man who had given his life for the freedom of his people.

For me the simple tribute of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown summed it up best of all, when he said Mr Mandela had been "the greatest man of his generation", and in my humble opinion he was at least that and probably much more.

R.I.P. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013)

[vaalae]

I lived in South Africa from 1983-1993. We left when I was 12 and the darkest talk then was of impending civil war across potential Afrikaner/"English"/Xhosa/Zulu/"Bantu" Homelands lines...with additional questions being asked about integrating ANC units into the military and whether they would tolerate this. All this amidst talk of impending economic collapse.

That none of this happened, and the economy surged ahead instead is down to the remarkable reconciliation work led by Nelson Mandela. He gave everyone in South Africa an example to conduct themselves by, and it's a great shame he only had one term in office. A very sad day, but an element of relief as he was suffering at the end. May he Rest In Peace!

[arana peligrosa]

Lost another great name in Peter O Toole very recently, so had to give him a mention - didn't warrant a new thread.

A name many participants won't be of an age to appreciate but appeared in epic releases such as Lawrence of Arabia, Goodbye Mr Chips and The Lion in Winter. An actor of caliber, now departed.

RIP

[all white]

Lost another great name in Peter O Toole very recently, so had to give him a mention - didn't warrant a new thread.

A name many participants won't be of an age to appreciate but appeared in epic releases such as Lawrence of Arabia, Goodbye Mr Chips and The Lion in Winter. An actor of caliber, now departed.

RIP

Another true legend of the silver screen gone, , R.I.P Peter O Toole you have left some great memories.