In an age when the unrelenting glare of media publicity has exposed many popular heroes as having feet of clay, one man’s star will continue to rise … and rise. That man is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and the brilliance of his iconic status as a universal hero of the 20th and early 21st centuries, has, by reflection, immensely enhanced South Africa’s prestige on the world stage.

Directly or by association, all of us in South Africa have benefited from the panache of the Mandela persona which has proved to be an unparalleled trump card for the Rainbow Nation. However, I believe it is in his belief in “honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, purity, generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve your fellow men”, qualities which he felt to be “within the reach of every soul”, that his greatest gift to the nation is to be found – for Madiba has given us a template for greatness. And we are in urgent need of men and women of greatness.

Where would we be without Madiba’s example of forgiveness and reconcilliation? His immense goodwill which he extended across the nation and which embraced people of all colours, cultures and creeds? His willingness to subjugate himself to the monumental task of building a new South Africa? His Mandela Jive? His humour and humanity? He believed that “a person is a person because of other people”. Thank you Madiba for teaching us what it means to be a “person”. We will forever be grateful. We will never forget you. May you now Rest In Peace.