If I may pay my own respects on the passing of this giant of the 20th century and beyond I’d just like to say that I grew up in an era of apartheid and was sickened by it, and indeed still am.
Mandela had his faults, as all humans have, but his words and deeds and in the end a tide of global support changed South Africa, and indeed the world’s thinking, for ever.
For my small part, apart from being very vocal in my disgust at the apartheid regime, I bought a ticket or three to a very special gig at Wembley celebrating his 70th birthday with proceeds going towards the campaign for his release and I sang Free Nelson Mandela at the top of my voice all afternoon.
He is now, to paraphrase another great civil rights leader, free at last.