Mandela

First and foremost, Mandela was a revolutionary Christian and to an extent a saint. He embodied the attribute of one universal principle espoused by the major religions - namely; Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful; and in Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do not unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." and in  Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother  that which he desires for  himself." in Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the entire Law: all the rest is commentary." And in Christianity:  "Whatsoever you wish that man would do to you, do so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Albeit , Judaism and Christianity bear a striking similarity when it comes to forgiveness and retaliation in ( Le 19:18), it states: "Thou shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but shall love your neighbor as yourself. And then in the New testament , (Luke 6:35-37), Love ye your enemies, and do good And lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great; and condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive and you shall be forgiven. After manumission from Robben  Island, Mandela held to the aforementioned  principles to become an unifying and universal force. Twenty-seven years of imprisonment did not deter his determination to see his people overcome abject humiliation, brutality and  demeaning shackles of apartheid. Though tried and tempted he never lost sight of his vision. Nelson Mandela, a great, courageous and uncompromising  giant of a man will always be etched in history as long as humankind exist. His Will has been done.  And he will rest in peace!!!