Hero. For once the word seems inadequate.

Political giant? Those words, though true, are as just as inadequate.

Saintly. He wouldn’t want us to see him that way. He wanted us to see him as a human being with all the foibles we all have.

A human being. That was his greatest gift to us. He showed us what it means to be human and humane.

Whoever said ‘the greatest of these is love’ will now meet the human embodiment of these words as they enjoy their eternal lives.

How did I get to know him? It was through reading Long Road to Freedom. Again his love for his fellow human beings shone through. If you are a teen who wants a book to teach you how to take your first steps towards adulthood, read the book and learn how he loved even those who despised him.

But there were times when his humanity was tested. The Sharpeville massacre saw the ANC embrace the need for armed struggle. Robbed of everything, this may be extremely understandable. The thing is some on this island say that senior figures in Sinn Fein travelled the same road. This is where I start to get nervy.

Apartheid literally robbed people of their humanity. The so-called brave volunteers of the Provos actually had the vote throughout the 70s and 80s. They had access to education, they had access to a damn fine health system. They even could collect the generous benefits of a social system. You get the picture.

For Nelson, there really was no such thing as black and white. He fought against domination by either race. Could you imagine Nelson trying to tell us there were such things as legitimate targets? He understood reconciliation meant not having a foot in the past. He knew reconciliation could not be achieved by having some sort of parity of acts of hatred.

He was the epitome of love and the hope that human beings should strive for the best they can be. No excuses. No harping on. No glorifying of gory events. No room for “laissez-faire” comments. All you need is love for your fellow human beings.

I remember the first time we saw him take the first steps outside of his cell. There was no triumphalism. Here was a human being walking among the people he loved and wished to have better lives. Together. As human beings.

Madiba. You were just a human being. But your brother and sisters will miss you so much.

Good night, Sweet Prince.