It seems everyone is expressing sadness and referring to today’s news of Nelson Mandela/Madiba’s death, as a loss and a time to mourn. I beg to differ. We have in Mandela, an individual who thought more of his fellow ‘man’ than he thought of himself. He selflessly took up the ‘cross’ of the freedom of his fellow man, his brothers, when it was most unsafe for him to do so. He knew the consequences and accepted them when they came. He gave his freedom as a sacrifice for the cause he so passionately believed was greater than his very life. If there is any merit to the parable of the talents or any of the references in any of the world’s religious texts, to giving one’s all, to gain the favor of the God(s), then Mandela has completed his life’s purpose……served his time in the full season of his life most tirelessly, and it was simply time for him to bid us adieu. His resume, his famous deeds as well as those that are undisclosed, his politics, his mission, his message, his spirit, his frailties and his shortcomings are but gentle reminders of the potential that lies in all of us mortals, when we choose to be unselfish, unwavering and passionate for a cause greater than ourselves. So no. I am not saddened by today. I am filled with the joy, appreciation, gratitude, pleasure, pride, satisfaction……knowing great people are not born in special places to special people. They are found where passion, love, unselfishness and an unrelenting spirit come together in the one person. I am ecstatic that I lived in a time when a man of the calibre of Madiba lived…..because he will undoubtedly be one of the disciples/prophet/rabbi of which a future generation’s bible/Quran/Torah refers. Well done Madiba. We bask in the legacy of your sacrifices, successes, failures, your humanity. I am sure your maker is well pleased and I celebrate your ‘retirement’.