His spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness saved South Africa from even more bloodshed and hatred.
One of the great things about Mandela was his absolute love for people.
It did not matter who you were, he always seemed very pleased to meet you. He particularly loved children and they loved him back.
He used to drive his security personnel crazy when he was president of South Africa in the 1990s.
He was forever wanting them to stop the car so that he could greet people.
His view was that he had been in prison for so many years that he wanted to make up for it. He loved meeting new people and he had a gift for making people feel special.
I met him quite a few times at press conferences and rallies as a journalist in South Africa and although I am certain he did not remember me, he did have a profound effect on me.
I have often wondered how I would feel when he eventually died.
Well, I feel sad; very sad.
But also proud of all he did.
He was a great man and the world is the poorer for his passing.
