Nelson Mandela

[SG-19]

Breaking News Worldwide, 21.45 HRS Dec 5 2013. Nelson Mandela has passed away peacefully at home in South Africa, Nelson Mandela truly free at last R.I.P Great Man.

[BLAZE]

We've lost another great, great man. A sad day indeed. If every country had a man like him as president, the
world would be a so much better place. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela. and thank you.

[pete]

RIP Nelson.

No surprises but a piece of history laid to rest.

Glad he had such a long life here on earth.

[ThaddeusHWJ]

Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. Such a fantastic and influential man.

[expat]

I wonder what we would be saying in 50 years time if some of today's convicted terrorists ever become the great statesman that Nelson Mandela became after his rather checkered past. Something tells me we will not be quite so forgiving.........That aside we have lost a great man that proved you could turn over a new leaf. Now watch the rest of the family fight it out in court over his legacy..........

Matt

[zswobbie1]

Well, just look at the credentials of Jacob Zuma, here in South Africa??

[SG-19]

Let us consider. If any man had a right to be bitter, twisted, resentful and revengeful it was Nelson Mandela, but no he came out of 27 years of imprisonment the complete opposite. A stronger and better man, finally achieving what he was imprisoned for trying to do. South Africa still has its problems but what country doesn't. Go in peace Mandiba.

[expat]

Let us consider. If any man had a right to be bitter, twisted, resentful and revengeful it was Nelson Mandela, but no he came out of 27 years of imprisonment the complete opposite. A stronger and better man, finally achieving what he was imprisoned for trying to do. South Africa still has its problems but what country doesn't. Go in peace Mandiba.

Don't quite follow your argument. Why should he have the right to be "bitter, twisted, resentful and revengeful". Nelson Mandela was the head of UmKhonto we Sizwe, (MK), the terrorist wing of the ANC and South African Communist Party. At his trial, he had pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence including mobilising terrorist bombing campaigns, which planted bombs in public places, including the Johannesburg railway station. Many innocent people, including women and children, were killed by Nelson Mandela’s MK terrorists.
Tellingly, not only did Mandela refuse to renounce violence, Amnesty refused to take his case stating “[the] movement recorded that it could not give the name of ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ to anyone associated with violence"

Sweeping his past under the carpet is rather insulting to those who suffered before he became a great statesman.

Matt

[pete]

Don't quite follow your argument. Why should he have the right to be "bitter, twisted, resentful and revengeful". Nelson Mandela was the head of UmKhonto we Sizwe, (MK), the terrorist wing of the ANC and South African Communist Party. At his trial, he had pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence including mobilising terrorist bombing campaigns, which planted bombs in public places, including the Johannesburg railway station. Many innocent people, including women and children, were killed by Nelson Mandela’s MK terrorists.
Tellingly, not only did Mandela refuse to renounce violence, Amnesty refused to take his case stating “[the] movement recorded that it could not give the name of ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ to anyone associated with violence"

Sweeping his past under the carpet is rather insulting to those who suffered before he became a great statesman.

Matt

Let's not even go there -- once you do that you should start with the 'authorised forces' of nations -- who have a mammoth history of 'terrorism' compared to whatever Mandela was involved with. If you're stiffled by an injust system and you're not a coward you are going to fight back. Of course.


Now let's keep this positive about a person who was nothing less than a Giant of a man and the man every good human wanted to be pictured with more than any other person in the world.

Any nasty criticism will leave a taint of nastiness and ignorance roaming in these forums which is - just slightly - less than desirable.

[ozzy72]

Lets put this in perspective a little chaps, yes Nelson Mandela was involved with armed struggle against a repressive state, one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter etc.
However when he was released from prison he showed compassion and reconciliation to those who had repressed him, he showed that forgiveness and understanding were more important than revenge. In that respect he became a truly great man, and a world leader of such magnitude. He took the Ghandi path of passive resistance and turning the other cheek. We all make mistakes in our youth, but it is how you live your life after those mistakes and what you do to be the bigger man that are what will be remembered.
Yes he did things I'm sure he regretted, to take a life is easy, to save a life is magnificent.