MANILA, Philippines—Nelson Mandela, arguably the personification of democracy and unity, has left his legacy imprinted on the world and on its influential personalities.
“He achieved more than could be expected of any man,” United States President Barack Obama said.
In his Twitter page, Obama described the South African leader responsible for the abolition of apartheid as “a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.”
He also asked to give thanks to “the fact that Nelson Mandela lived.”
South African President Jacob Zuma described Mandela as a father to the people, and a son to the nation.
“Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a South African social rights activist, said that Mandela was the unifying force of South Africa.
“He was a unifier from the moment he walked out of prison. He taught us how to come together and believe in ourselves.”
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said Mandela has “touched our lives in deeply personal ways.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that with Mandela’s abolition of Apartheid, Mandela has “succeeded in building a nation.”
“Mr. Mandela fought with strong determination to abolish apartheid, and he succeeded in building a country with reconciliation as its foundation.”
Former US President Bill Clinton described Mandela as a champion in human history.
“History will remember Mandela as a champion of human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation,” Clinton said.
British Prime Minister said that “a great light has gone out in the world,” in his description of Mandela.
Poland’s Solidarity leader and former president Lech Walesa said simply, “a great man has died.”
The sporting world
Mandela not only touched world leaders but the also sports especially rugby, the same spectacle that united a torn Africa in 1995,
“He used the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the first major sporting event to be hosted in South Africa after the 1994 democratic elections, as an instrument of change to help promote unity amongs all South Africans,” the South African Rugby Union said.
English cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott gave Mandela the highest honor when he expressed his condolences for the man.
“I asked if he was a bowler or a batsman. He smiled and said he was an all-rounder. I said ‘I thought you were a God.’”
Former England football captain and Manchester United legend David Beckham described Mandela as someone who “had genuine for so many people.”
“We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being. It was truly an honor to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people.”
Manchester United also tweeted their sympathies for the man that changed South Africa.
“We are saddened to hear of Nelson Mandela’s death. He was truly a great man,” the club Twitter posted, together with a photograph of Mandela and United’s former manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Boxing legend Mike Tyson, who heard of Mandela’s death in Africa also posted a photograph of Mandela posing with a clenched fist with boxing promoter Don King and legendary welterweight Sugar Ray Leonard.
“I’m hearing about Nelson Mandela’s death while on African soil in Oran, Algeria. Sending prayers to Mandela’s family.
Stars knelt for ‘God’
U2 frontman Bono, who have dedicated most of his professional life for charity, especially in Africa, put Mandela on high regard in the growth of South Africa.
“Without Mandela, would Africa be experiencing its best decade of growth and poverty reduction?”
South African actress Charlize Theron has prayed for Mandela and said that the African hero’s impact “will live forever.”
“Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever.”
Samuel L. Jackson also, who personally met Mandela, said he has never met a person “better” than Mandela.
“Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela. My sympathy to his family and country.”
source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
