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Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)

05 Dec 13 - 05:06 PM (#3581838)
Subject: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela
From: GUEST,Ed

I can only offer: this


05 Dec 13 - 05:17 PM (#3581842)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela
From: GUEST,Peter Laban

Rest well Madiba.


05 Dec 13 - 05:21 PM (#3581844)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela
From: selby

What a full and interesting life you had rest well Madiba


05 Dec 13 - 05:34 PM (#3581848)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Raggytash

A man with great dignity and courage. The world is a lesser place with his passing. RIP Mr Mandela.


05 Dec 13 - 05:35 PM (#3581849)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Joe Offer

Ed's link in the first message leads to a recording by Dolores Keane of "Lion in a Cage," a song about Nelson Mandela written by John Faulkner. Mandela was in prison for most of the time from 1962-1990, and apparently the song must have been written sometime during that period.

I can't understand all the lyrics. Can somebody post them?

The chorus is:
    Mandela will be free,
    Mandela, Nelson Mandela


He meant so much for all of Africa. Many things in Africa haven't turned out the way he wanted, but he continued to embody the ideal he sought.

May he rest in peace, and may his dream of peace for Africa come to fruition.

-Joe-


05 Dec 13 - 05:37 PM (#3581850)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: WalkaboutsVerse

There's what we want and there's the tactics we are prepared to use: Gandhi used non-violent non-cooperation; Mandela resorted to terrorism. But, of course, the Apartheid regime against the indigenous people of South Africa was evil.


05 Dec 13 - 05:40 PM (#3581851)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Dave Sutherland

Also look up MacColl & Seeger's "No more, No more, No more" RIP.


05 Dec 13 - 05:58 PM (#3581856)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Charley Noble

An inspiration to generations of South Africans and people all over the world.

Charlie Ipcar


05 Dec 13 - 06:32 PM (#3581865)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield

A great man, who had the ability to forgive his oppressors, encourage reconciliation and unite his country. I remember vividly the live television report of his 'long walk to freedom' when he was finally released from prison. Rest in peace.
Derek


05 Dec 13 - 06:47 PM (#3581868)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: wysiwyg


05 Dec 13 - 06:52 PM (#3581871)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: andymac

Humanity owes him an incalculable debt for precisely the reasons Derek mentions. The greatest and most inspiring political leader of my and several other generations. RIP.


05 Dec 13 - 06:55 PM (#3581872)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: voyager

To change the meaning of a song - The Great Mandala (Peter Yarrow)

Take your place on the great Mandala
As it moves through your brief moment of time
Win or lose now, you must choose now
And if you lose, you're only losing your life

And the Great Mandela Won and created a world of Freedom that
will be sustained for generations to come.

RIP
voyager


05 Dec 13 - 07:42 PM (#3581884)
Subject: Lyr Add: LION IN A CAGE (John Faulkner)
From: GUEST,michaelr

Lion In A Cage (John Faulkner)

The Veld is burning in the African sun
Black blood flows from the white man's gun
Locked in a jail for twenty five years
Held like a lion in a cage of tears
Mandela will be free
Mandela will be free, Mandela Nelson Mandela

People in Sharpeville and Soweto born
Mandela will be free
Living with the lash of the white man's scorn
Mandela will be free
Sweating in the dungeon of the diamond mine
Mandela will be free
Blood was shed on the picket line
Mandela will be free.

The lion is ready for victory
Mandela will be free
To lead the people to their destiny
Mandela will be free
No prison bars in Pretoria
Mandela will be free
Can hold back the storm in Africa
Mandela will be free.

The time of truth is in his eyes
Mandela will be free
His words tear down the veil of lies
Mandela will be free
The world hears the beat of the talking drum
Mandela will be free
The time for Africa has come
Mandela will be free.


05 Dec 13 - 07:45 PM (#3581885)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Bill D

He did what was needed at the time it was needed... then preached & practiced reconciliation afterwards.

He was, simply, a great & thoughtful man and leader.


05 Dec 13 - 09:43 PM (#3581902)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: ChanteyLass

What a loss. He accomplished so much under such difficult circumstances. He is irreplaceable. I hope the country continues to find leaders who will improve the circumstances for people in that nation.

(Of course, I have the same wish for my nation!)


06 Dec 13 - 04:12 AM (#3581937)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Les in Chorlton

For those who disparage the vote think on Nelson


06 Dec 13 - 04:59 AM (#3581951)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Psychomorris

The World has lost a great man. Other leaders should take inspiration from him and should try to be like he was. The world would be a far better place.


06 Dec 13 - 05:13 AM (#3581956)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,musket

You know those "things to do before you die" lists?

Last year I visited Robbin Island, where he and many more were incarcerated. The guides are all ex prisoners and those who helped bring down apartheid. I spoke at length with Yusef Mohammed who ran the anti SA office in Oslo for the ANC and CP alliance during the long period.

I am not being too dramatic when I say I left a slightly different person to how I arrived.

South Africa still has a long way to go. The free people are still living in the same awful townships and most jobs are government ones they can't afford to hand out. Expectation is a two sided knife.

But the example he gave, the inspiration he built into all sides as they looked at each other. ...

He will be a rallying cry for reasonableness and equality for all time, I'm sure.


06 Dec 13 - 05:21 AM (#3581958)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Les in Chorlton

Well put musket


06 Dec 13 - 05:34 AM (#3581963)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Nigel Parsons

There is a saying in Welsh: a fo ben bid bont (He who would be a leader must be a bridge). A fitting tribute for Nelson Mandela who was a true leader.


R.I.P.

Nigel


06 Dec 13 - 05:58 AM (#3581969)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: My guru always said

We have a candle lit for the passing of this Man who left his mark on the World. RIP Nelson Mandela.

By sheer coincidence we stood outside the cinema in Leicester Square, which hosted the premiere of the film 'Mandela', for an hour last night, watching the arrival of all the people involved in the film. It was cold and we were tired, but our thoughts were for this Man. We reached home a couple of hours later to hear that he had just passed away. I'm sure that his passing will have been announced during the premiere itself, a most poignant moment for all involved in the making of this film.


06 Dec 13 - 06:02 AM (#3581972)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: fat B****rd

The above have said it all. A truly remarkable man.
RIP Mr. Mandela.


06 Dec 13 - 06:10 AM (#3581974)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Dave the Gnome

One of the only politicians that had the courage of his convictions. A great loss.

DtG


06 Dec 13 - 06:33 AM (#3581980)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Jim Carroll

"Mandela resorted to terrorism"
Margaret Thatcher described Mandela as a terrorist - then threw her support behind mass-murderer Pinochet - which says all that needs to be said about Thatcher and Mandela.
A brave human being who sacrificed a large part of his life and freedom to democracy and human rights.
Jim Carroll


06 Dec 13 - 07:06 AM (#3581989)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Steve Shaw

Mandela resorted to terrorism.

The terrorist is the one with the small bomb.

.................................................................

Nelson Mandela showed us all the power of dignity, patience, restraint and forgiveness.


06 Dec 13 - 07:22 AM (#3581992)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Janie

thanks for posting the lyrics, Michael.


06 Dec 13 - 08:00 AM (#3582008)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MEN OF RIVONIA (Hamish Henderson)
From: GUEST

Another song
Jim Carroll

The Men of Rivonia
Words: Hamish Henderson / Music: trad

They have sentenced the men of Rivonia,
(Rumbala, rumbala, rumbala)
The comrades of Nelson Mandela
(Rumbala, rumbala, rumbala)
He is buried alive on an island
(Free Mandela, Free Mandela)
He is buried alive on an island
(Free Mandela, Free Mandela)

The crime of the men of Rivonia
Was to organise farmer and miner
Against baaskap and sjambok and kiri

Verwoord feared the mind of Mandela
He was stifling the voice of Mandela
Free Mbeki, Goldberg, Sisulu

Set free the men of Rivonia
Tear down the walls of their prison
Freedom and Justice, Uhuru!

Power to the heirs of Lutuli!
The comrades of Nelson Mandela
Spear of the Nation, unbroken!


06 Dec 13 - 08:00 AM (#3582009)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Vic Smith

An unforgettable memory....
In the month that he was released, standing in a concert at Nelson Mandela Hall at Sussex University amongst a packed audience that was mainly students much younger than me listening to the Hugh Masekela band. The culmination of the concert was when he delivering a blistering trumpet solo and launched into these words:-
Bring back Nelson Mandela,
Bring him back home to Soweto,
I want to see him walking down the streets of South Africa,
With Winnie Mandela.

The entire audience were singing it at the tops of their voices, many, like me, with tears streaming down their faces.


06 Dec 13 - 08:26 AM (#3582016)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick

Ok. I don't mind admitting it. I broke down and cried like a child when I heard the news. A great man and a wonderful inspiration, not just to the heroes who fought apartheid, but to everyone who ever fought bigotry and discrimination in any form whatsoever.

It just so happens that the Liverpool Socialist Singers, of which I am a member, have a fundraising gig tonight. Here's one of the songs we'll be singing.

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.


06 Dec 13 - 08:37 AM (#3582020)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing

It is such a pity he could not bring his pressure and influence to bear on North Korea. If ever a nation needs freedom from oppression, poverty, political slaughter and gulags, surely this is it.


06 Dec 13 - 10:05 AM (#3582033)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Wolfgang

Yes, I've cried as well.
He was one of my heroes.
Many of my heroes have disappointed be by what they did later or by what I have found out later they had done earlier.
Never so Mandela.
You have been a saint, Mr. Mandela.

Wolfgang


06 Dec 13 - 11:35 AM (#3582055)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: wysiwyg

"Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity."

FROM AN INTERVIEW FOR THE DOCUMENTARY MANDELA, 1994

~S~


06 Dec 13 - 12:36 PM (#3582073)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: voyager

Amandla (2003 Movie) - Songs of the South African freedom fighters

Mandela's inspiration (in music) lives in this film.


06 Dec 13 - 12:37 PM (#3582075)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Pete Jennings

He can certainly rest in peace.


06 Dec 13 - 01:54 PM (#3582105)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Firecat

RIP Mr Mandela.

Watching the news reports from outside his home, it struck me exactly how much influence he had. Black and white standing together, side by side, united.

My husband has just told me that in the very early reports, a lot of the people there were in their late teens or early 20s. They had no idea what it was like living under apartheid, but they still wanted to pay their respects.

One of the reporters said that, instead of having photos of himself with world leaders, the only picture he had in his office was a cartoon of him with David Beckham as they visited a township, and a little boy saying "Who's that old man with David Beckham?"

He will never be forgotten, as his legacy of unity lives on. A truly great man.


06 Dec 13 - 02:33 PM (#3582115)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: topical tom

The world has lost a great man of compassion and peace. Non-violence was truly his watchword. He,like Mahatma Ghandi, now belongs to the ages. RIP Mandiba.


07 Dec 13 - 12:18 AM (#3582241)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Mrrzy

What a great person.

I remember trying to tell my twins about him about, oh, 5-8 yars ago now, he must have been in the news for something, and they hadn't heard of him, which I was sorry about, so I tried explaining who he was and it turns out they hadn't heard of apartheid either. At first I was upset about that too, but then I thought... Now THAT is a legacy. Imagine a world where nobody had heard of it. We're getting closer. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Also fascinating are all the world leaders saying how they couldn't have done what they did without his leadership - like Ireland, Germany (Germany!), and so on. What an absolutely great person.

Celebrate!


09 Dec 13 - 06:16 AM (#3582822)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick

BBC Radio Four is broadcasting 15 minute extracts from Mandela's autobiography all this week. 09-45 Monday to Friday. If you missed the first one you can catch it again on Listen Again.


09 Dec 13 - 01:20 PM (#3582965)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: Sandy Mc Lean

We should not mourn his death because he gave this world everything he had and more! His life should be celebrated and his memory enshrined as a leader who cared much more for his people and their cause than he ever did for himself! I am moved as well though by Mrrzy's words , and a world free of any memory of such injustice has its own appeal!
That being said his cause did not die with him and much remains to be done! RIP Mr.Mandela!


16 Dec 13 - 10:23 PM (#3584806)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: ollaimh

the world is not lesser for his passing, it is immeasurably richer for his having been here. in the worst situations of human degradation he was resilient and forgiving without sacrificing his goals or his principles.

he was half blind from years of limestone work on robin island and he almost never mentioned it.

a great man


17 Dec 13 - 06:13 AM (#3584870)
Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Mr Mandela (1918-2013)
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick

An amazing man. You're quite right. His was first and foremost a life to be celebrated. To quote Joe Hill. "Don't mourn for me. Organise!"