I SPENT much of Tuesday December 10, 2013 glued to the television screen witnessing history been made as I followed the live coverage of Nelson Mandela's memorial service, at FNB Stadium in South Africa.
Whoever witnessed that funeral in Soweto, attended by world leaders from almost 100 countries, royalty and celebrities, will have to die before they can forget. I doubt our generation
will ever witness another Nelson Mandela let alone a funeral of that magnitude.
Madiba was indeed an epitome of humility and selflessness. He was simply a giant whose values and beliefs surpassed the expectations of the entire human race. His magical and peace power has drawn the human race and global leaders together even in death.
His amazing presence captured everyone who came into contact with him. But perhaps the most amazing thing is that, even in death, this great son of Africa remains a uniting factor.
US President Barack Obama celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela with his own gesture of reconciliation at Tuesday's memorial ceremony in Soweto: a historic handshake with Cuban leader Raul Castro.
It was the first such greeting in public involving a president of the United States since the Cuban revolution, although Bill Clinton shook hands in private with Raul's brother Fidel during a closed-door United Nations lunch in 2000.
We can only hope that the unprecedented gesture between the leaders of two nations which have been at loggerheads for more than half a century is the first step to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.
If only our leaders-especially those from our continent-will not only acknowledge his legacy but emulate him. Africa need leaders like Mandela who had the courage to stand up for the masses against a more powerful and ruthless regime.
And despite witnessing the slaughter of his people during the apartheid era, Mandela emerged from prison preaching the gospel of love, reconciliation and a united country.
His selflessness fashion of leadership should remain embedded in the hearts of those aspiring to serve their respective nations. Africans should stop apportioning blame on western leaders because each and every individual can still push for a positive change. Mandela proved that.
It has been said that living a life without purpose makes death a tragedy but in this case, the life lived by Mandela is a great blessing to Africa and the world in a whole.
Madiba's cross over to the other side remains a colossal loss to the entire continent of Africa and world over.
Indeed there will never be another Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, but his was a life worth imitating. We can still apply the lessons of his struggle for freedom to our lives and those around us. We can continue in his spirit and legacy.
Rest in peace Tata Madiba and may your spirit continue to live in all of us and those who will come after us.
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