Today we honour the life of Nelson Mandela,
the former President of South Africa and one of the world's greatest leaders,
who sadly passed away at the age of 95.
His influence transcends Africa, and he has been an inspiration to all as a champion of civil rights.
He was committed to democracy and the removal of apartheid in South Africa.
Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 - one week before my mother -
a royal child, son of a Chief of the Thembu people.
His long political struggle, his 27 years of imprisonment, and the triumph of his release and the first democratic elections in South Africa are well-recorded.
His was a life wonderfully well-led.
VALE, Madiba - may you rest in peace.
Today my ladies choir sang 'You Raise Me Up', just for you.
I found a clip of the British Colombia Girls Choir, singing the same arrangement, which is one I love to sing in performance.
Peace and Blessings
xx
An amazing man and one whose place in history is high. Very inspirational man.
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational Sanda. I read Long Walk to Freedom years ago, and was so impressed. Will have to re-read now.
DeleteA legend in his own lifetime.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, indeed he was, Rosemary.
DeleteNice tribute Patricia. It must have been moving to sing in the choir in honor of such a great man.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Darla, it was - the choir sang very well indeed; I think everyone was thinking about Mandela.
DeleteHe was a man who accomplished something very few are able to - forgiveness for what had been done to him.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree Kristie, he was such a shining example of the importance and value of forgiveness.
DeleteVery interesting! And didn't he have a wife, Willie, who waited all those years he was in prison? If anything, she was more famous in America for trying to keep his work alive while he was imprisoned.
ReplyDeleteYes, Beryl, his political activist wife keep up the fight all those years. Sadly the long separation took its toll and the marriage broke up shortly after his release. He married again apparently happily, for the last 15 years. There was also a first wife from when he was quite young. I wonder if all 3 of them will attend the funeral.
DeleteA very thoughtful post Patricia, RIP Nelson. - Shell - A Darlings Nest
ReplyDeleteThank you Shell, I am sure the tributes will flow over the next week.
DeleteThis is a nice post to remember Nelson Mandela, Patricia. And what better flower to display than the red rose?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend, dear.
Love,
~Sheri
Red roses are the best, Sheri. That bouquet was a birthday gift from my son. I am sure there will be many, many flowers of Nelson Mandela this week. Happy weekend to you too!
DeleteSuch a great loss.
ReplyDeleteHe was a very unique personality, and will go down in history.
DeleteThank you for this, Patricia. I am working on a Madiba post myself. I was there in 1994, so his passing fills me with deep sadness. Bless him always for what he did for South Africa.
ReplyDeleteVal, it must have been an amazing time in 1994 when Mandela became President. I look forward to reading your post very much. He will never be forgotten.
DeleteIt might take me a while. I need to find the right 'voice'!
DeleteAn extraordinary man, whose like we shan't see again in our lifetimes. I can still remember being rivetted to the TV coverage of his release from Robben Island in 1990 and have been ever more deeply impressed by his achievements since. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
ReplyDelete