For months we have known that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela who was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, activist, lawyer, philanthropist and eventually President of the republic from 1994 to 1999 was near death. But it still doesn’t make the pain any less when the news eventually came on 5th December. Like a ton of brick, it hits at your core because despite all the pain at the hands of his white oppressors, he kept his dignity and didn’t call for retribution. Madiba as he is loving known, did so as more important than self, was making a difference in the lives of millions of South Africans and others around the globe. And for this, the world owes him a debt of gratitude. He will be greatly missed.