Muhammad Ali: Mandela is soaring through the heavens

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: iTV



Boxing great Muhammad Ali has hailed the legacy of Nelson Mandela saying he taught the world forgiveness on a "grand scale".

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela. His was a life filled with purpose and hope; hope for himself, his country and the world.

"He inspired others to reach for what appeared to be impossible and moved them to break through the barriers that held them hostage mentally, physically, socially and economically. He made us realise, we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colours.

"What I will remember most about Mr.Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge.

"He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free."

Read more: http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-12-05/muhammed-ali-pays-tribute-to-nelson-mandela/

[freshwest]

1. Both wonderful men and world leaders. Thanks for posting.

[FarrenH]

2. A fitting tribute for a great man

from a legend of the sport he so loved. Mandela himself trained as a boxer as a young man and I think he was as pleased to meet Ali as Ali was to meet him.

Mandela meant so much to us South Africans. I was up late at 1am last night when I read the news and I cried, as I have never before cried over the death of any statesman. My facebook feed was full of tributes to Madiba from black and white South Africans. Some white South African friends admitted that he was a bogeyman of their youth, a "terrorist", an ally of dreaded communists - but that his conduct as our first president, his moral grace and sincerity, his relentless commitment to healing and reconciliation, won them over completely. Even those inured to the relentless demonization of the man by Apartheid authorities saw all of their preconceptions shattered when he finally had a platform to speak to them in his own voice. We could not help but love him, because with every word and deed he demonstrated that he loved all of us, black and white, and had such high hopes for our future.

Two decades after Apartheid, South Africa is still suffering from the wounds of Apartheid, as well as some newly inflicted ones thanks to the effort of lesser men among his former colleagues whose hubris exceeds their idealism. We are still a highly unequal society and economic justice is far from achieved. But if our first president had been anyone other than Madiba, things would have been much, much worst. He was the best possible leader for our peaceful transition and we owe him a debt of profound gratitude.

Beyond that, he was an inspiration for leaders everywhere and a beacon for all those who wish to find peaceful resolution to protracted exploitation and conflict. While so many liberation leaders are consumed by hubris when they achieve victory, Madiba saw it as only the beginning of his work. And he worked very, very hard, with unwavering commitment to the welfare of all South Africans, even when the frailty of his health was becoming evident, until he finally retired from public life at an advanced age.

If feel like nothing I say will do him sufficient justice. Words alone cannot express how much he meant to me.

[Surya Gayatri]

3. Beautiful and fitting tribute. Thank you for saying it

so eloquently. Coming from a South African, your eulogy is doubly meaningful.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Thanks for posting

[Scuba]

5. Excellent quote. Thanks for posting Adenoid.

"... a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge."

[Judi Lynn]

6. Player says he kissed Mandela's feet when they met

Dec 6, 6:53 AM EST

Player says he kissed Mandela's feet when they met

By GERALD IMRAY
AP Sports Writer

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) -- Gary Player says the first time he met Nelson Mandela, he got on his knees and kissed the former political prisoner's feet.

Remembering his "very tearful" first encounter with Mandela, Player paused Friday to compose himself and hold back tears.

Mandela, a former South African president and Nobel laureate, died Thursday at 95.

Player, a nine-time major winner who is one of South Africa's greatest sportsman, says he told Mandela at their meeting following his release from prison "I have never kissed anybody's feet in my life ... (but) I have so much admiration for you."

Player also says he'll also never forget Mandela greeting him once with the words: "Good morning, Gary. Do you remember me?"

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GLF_MANDELA_PLAYER?SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

(Short article, no more at link.)

[brer cat]

7. A beautiful thread for a beautiful man.

Ali, Player and DUer FarrenH all provide remembrances to cherish.

[publicdefender76]

8. Supporters of Senator Ted Cruz Eulogize Nelson Mandela

Would someone be willing to post this as a new thread? It is JAW-DROPPING.

From the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-abramson/supporters-of-us-senator_b_4399368.html

[Judi Lynn]

9. Mandela's jailer praises the anti-apartheid icon

Mandela's jailer praises the anti-apartheid icon
By ANDREW MELDRUM and FAZLUR PHILLIPS, Associated Press | December 7, 2013 | Updated: December 7, 2013 1:58pm

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — He was with Nelson Mandela during all those years the anti-apartheid icon was imprisoned on Robben Island. And, like millions around the world, he has been hit hard by Mandela's death.

Yet this South African was not one of Mandela's fellow prisoners. Christo Brand was his jailer.

The two men — the black political prisoner and the white Afrikaans warden — forged an unlikely but enduring friendship.

They last met about two years ago when Brand, now in his 50s, brought his wife, son and grandson to see Mandela in Cape Town in a Sunday afternoon visit that lasted nearly three hours.

More:
http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Mandela-s-jailer-praises-the-anti-apartheid-icon-5044353.php?cmpid=usw