Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Mandela was Mahatma Gandhi of South Africa' that was published in Newsband

Mandela was Mahatma Gandhi of South Africa

Nelson Mandela was an iconic revolutionary who ended apartheid in South Africa. He was the first black President of South Africa. He is the one who ended apartheid and racism. By leading his country out of the horrors of racial segregation, Mandela has won his place in history.

In the death of African leader, Nelson Mandela, the world has lost a great leader known for his sense of commitment for the freedom and welfare of 'all' people in South Africa. Like Martin Luther King in America, Mandela fought tooth and nail against 'apartheid' in his home country. In fact Mandela carried on the fight where Luther King left it for the equality and freedom of black people. Both of them drew inspiration for their selfless fight from the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi.

India was one of the few countries which lent unconditional support to Mandela in his fight against 'apartheid'.

Mandela was one of the few leaders who won about 250 honours including the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mandela lived a full life, made of immense sacrifice, personal tragedies, hope for the nation and his long walk to freedom has come to an end. He is no ordinary mortal and GOD sends such angels to earth once in a century. If it was Gandhi for 19th century, it was Mandela for 20th century.

Mandela was a man whose heart, soul, and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars, or the burden of hate and revenge. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His wisdom taught him that reconciliation should be accompanied with justice and peace with forgiveness.

Unpretentiousness was the essence of his personality and along with his humor and optimistic attitude he took on the challenges of a shattered nation beleaguered by inequality and poverty. He used his power for transformation without succumbing to the trappings of control and vainglory. To his country, Nelson Mandela was a liberator. To the world, he was a moral beacon.

Nelson Mandela passed away, but his life and legacy challenges us to nurture

dignity and respect towards each other in our everyday lives.

Mandela did not practice politics of hatred and revenge. This makes him one of the greatest icon of the twentieth century and the true inheritor of the the Gandhian philosophy.