RIP, Nelson Mandela

One of the world's giants passed away today.

Very true. It's not very often that a single man, driven only by principle, changes an entire country and thereby affects the world. When we speak of "standing on the shoulders of giants," we can put a face on top of the shoulders.

Apartheid was one of the great evils of the post WWII world. His role in removing it was pivotal. His insistance on avoiding recriminations and revenge after he gained power was wise beyond the powers of most political leaders. He'll be missed but he won't be soon forgotten.

Very sad day, I'm glad to have shared this earth with him. May all he stood for last an eternity.

He was a true peaceful revolutionary.

I think the first I heard of him was shortly after some University students in the `80s protested theirs schools to pull investments in South Africa. Before that it was all "Buy Krugerrands". People stop buying them, and apartheid fell shortly after. That's certainly a simple synopsis of the events, but those are the key points I recall leading up to him being freed and becoming President.

I'll miss him.