On Mandela's Final Farewell

On Mandela's final farewell

I know much will still be said, much has already been said but watching that funereal procession done military style with the mournful dirge echoing out across the Qunu plains and the accompanying cannon fusillade, this ritual has really brought it home to me quite emphatically.

It stirred within me much more emotion than I've felt up until now.

The liberator of a nation is truly being laid to rest now.

I guess the fact that these are the hills and fields in which the young Rolihlahla played with his friends, before embarking on a life of such magnitude, and to which he now returns, seem so much more poignant than the lying in state or the stadium event that preceded it. Certainly for me.

This is visceral. This is going home. This is saying goodbye.

This is the beginning of a new era should we allow that.

I sincerely hope that we do.

Hamba kahle, Madiba and thank you.