The world is waking up to the terrible news this morning that South Africa’s favourite son has passed away.
Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela passed away last night at 9pm local time after months of ill health. The grand statesman was 95 and all of us here at Lazygamer wish to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and to everyone in South Africa and the world who felt connected to Madiba.
Personally this hits me hard as there is no one else in the world who I respected more than our former president. He embodied the spirit of reconciliation and the fact that he could be so badly treated for so many years and still come out smiling and full of compassion is mind boggling.
I was coming up to completing high school when Mandela was voted in as president and in those days there were still a lot of vocal racists who predicted the end of our beautiful country. 19 years later and my life is better than ever and while there are still problems we are still truly free and we all owe Mandela for that.
We will miss you Tata, may you rest in peace and may your family and the rest of South Africa never forget the legacy and opportunity you have given us.
Last Updated: December 6, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
December 6, 2013 at 06:54
Rest in peace Madiba. We will all miss you and thank you so much for fighting not only apartheid but fighting for equality among all people and nations.
You are a legend and will never be forgotten
ianmin
December 6, 2013 at 06:55
Really sad day for all of us. Feeling all teary today. May he rest in peace and great thanks to him for offering up his freedom so that we can have opportunities in abundance.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
December 6, 2013 at 06:56
Yeah, I actually had to fight back the tears when I heard the news
Purple_Dragon
December 6, 2013 at 07:04
I’m heartened by all the love being shown by everyone here in SA.
It really is a sad day, he really was a giant among men.
Umar Seeker of Truth
December 6, 2013 at 07:10
Rest in peace Madiba … You were a shining example for everyone in this country. May your legacy live on in the hearts on all. You truly were a saint….
Johan du Preez
December 6, 2013 at 07:15
RIP Madiba
Jaded_Reprobate
December 6, 2013 at 07:16
i like to imagine Madiba’s last words as – ” F@#k this, i’m not paying e-tolls ”
and then he dies
That Tall Twit
December 6, 2013 at 07:32
May you finally be in peace & fly amongst the angels… R.I.P Tata Madiba.
Jonah Cash
December 6, 2013 at 07:33
RIP big man!! You saved all of us from ourselves in the early 90’s!! You will be remembered the world over not just in our country!! And you deserve every accolade that is bestowed upon you over the next few days and eternity!!
Kensei Seraph remembers Madiba
December 6, 2013 at 07:40
RIP Mandela.
Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith
December 6, 2013 at 07:55
RIP Madiba. You’ll be remembered and honored for a long long time.
Weanerdog
December 6, 2013 at 07:55
Rest in Peace Madiba, words fail me.
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 07:56
At two of my wife’s university graduation ceremonies (Tuks) the great man was there, to view one of his grandchildren getting a degree (Or great-grandchildren, education was very important to him). We all stood for him to enter last and all stood to let him leave first. Wow, almost not a dry eye in the house, seriously. Just that little contact moved me forever, incredible stuff. It seemed, even if just for that moment, the whole hall had one vision and one thought and it was good.
CAE9872
December 6, 2013 at 07:57
One of, if not the greatest, men to walk the earth ever. He will be missed.
piv787
December 6, 2013 at 08:00
Big Ups for publishing this. RIP
The_aQuato
December 6, 2013 at 08:03
Rest in peace Madiba. A true legend and hero. You will be missed by many!
Deano
December 6, 2013 at 08:23
Gone but never forgotten!
RIP TATA Madiba
loftie
December 6, 2013 at 08:26
Mandela was an absolute boss! RIP Hero of the nation
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 6, 2013 at 08:36
A truly inspirational man. RIP.
Skoobaz
December 6, 2013 at 08:36
R.I.P.
DarthofZA
December 6, 2013 at 08:37
I was fine. I was handling it, and driving to work. Then 5FM had to play a sad song. Damn you. I’m broken now. Mandela is one of the key people who made this country what it is today. I’m marrying a woman outside of my race, and most people don’t even look at us weird anymore when we’re in public. Truly blessed to live in SA! Thank you Madiba!
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 08:55
Yeah, me too. In my case was Radio 702.
Never met in person, but feel like we knew you like a father, a friend, a confidante…. A brother.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
December 6, 2013 at 09:01
KFM same here. In the Name of Love by u2…….I was choking up.
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 09:11
Ouch!
702 did not even have to play a song, just ten minutes of tributes. And I live 4 minutes from work…….
Spathi
December 6, 2013 at 08:42
RIP. Thank you for being a role model for reconciliation for each and everyone of us.
SaintsRowNigri
December 6, 2013 at 08:47
RIP Madiba.
In the words of Zandberg Jansen, rugby commentator: “Nag, ou Grote!”
CypherGate
December 6, 2013 at 08:47
Rest in Peace Madiba. SA will miss you and the world as well.
Skyblue
December 6, 2013 at 08:55
The world has lost a piece of it’s heart. RIP Madiba.
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 08:59
Read what Arch. Tutu said about Madiba. I found this fitting.
To the Mandela family – We respect your moments of grief and your personal loss.
“Although we collectively claim him as the father of our nation, and the pain we feel is similar to that of losing a close relative, he was your husband, your father and your grandfather.”
TiMsTeR1033
December 6, 2013 at 09:00
RIP old man, you did alot for this country, may you inspire people for many years to come.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
December 6, 2013 at 09:00
RIP. so Sad. Also, wondering where the country is supposed to go from here…..
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 09:15
My feeling is do not wonder. Grab the small piece you are in and live in it. If need be, make changes there, in the small environment, that is around you that you can effect an change. I believe we fail to make change because we always think too big, look at big picture and your place in it and then look changing the small, the stuff around you. In this way I believe we can all make change, for the better, without being daunted by the big issues,
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference”
I believe that is his memory. Madiba’s small, personal, space around him was just so much larger than most people who have ever lived.
Of course easy to say, not as easy to do.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
December 6, 2013 at 10:38
Well said
Brady miaau
December 6, 2013 at 11:21
thanks, I can get preachy sometimes.
In summary: Stop complaining and take action where you CAN make a difference.
caponeil
December 6, 2013 at 09:20
From a gaming community – he completely PWNED!! RIP!
FoxOneZA
December 6, 2013 at 09:20
Our hero will live on in our hearts <3
Gerhard Davids
December 6, 2013 at 09:41
Hamba kahle ntata Madiba. Today the world lost an inspiration of hope, freedom and tolerance. But his legacy will live on. R.I.P.
Sageville
December 6, 2013 at 09:47
His Legacy will live on in the hearts of those who’s lives he touched and forever in the minds of a world inspired, RIP Tata.
Rock789
December 6, 2013 at 09:53
Rest in Peace Madiba! May your legacy live on forever…
Rikus
December 6, 2013 at 09:53
…RIP Madiba…
Devourer of Small Bunnies
December 6, 2013 at 10:22
Having a terribly emo morning. Glad there are so many that will miss him. RIP big guy
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 6, 2013 at 12:30
Same here bud, same here. It’s only now starting to sink in.
Rags
December 6, 2013 at 13:00
A great heart has stopped. RIP.