Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for organising this opportunity to say a few words. It is appropriate that, on a day when world leaders gathered in Johannesburg to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, the Seanad should have an opportunity to reflect on the life of an amazing human being, a description that has been said and written in recent days.

Nelson Mandela has been described as a giant of history, the last great liberator of the 20th century, a unique political figure at a unique moment in history and not only the father of democracy in South Africa, but also a symbol of democracy throughout the world.

Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter who refused to allow the brutality of apartheid to stand in the way of the liberation of his people. His activities saw him imprisoned in 1962 and he was to spend the next 27 years incarcerated by a brutal regime.

He had much to show from his time in prison. He wrote many books while there and his main place of imprisonment came to be known as a place of learning. Songs and poems were written about him and the call for freedom was heard around the world and responded to by many. I, too, pay tribute to the Dunnes Stores workers who did much to highlight the injustice of apartheid and brought the case of Mandela to the attention of Irish people and people throughout the world.

Under President de Klerk he was released from prison in 1990, he was then returned as leader of the ANC and fought on for freedom. It is hard to comprehend that within three years of his release he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with de Klerk. Mandela's election as President of South Africa in 1994 was a victory for equality and a triumph for peace. The world rejoiced that one man, who stood firm and worked with his enemies, could make a difference to millions of people.

Nelson Mandela will forever be remembered as a man of peace, humanity and humility who saw good in everyone, was prepared to forgive his enemies and worked to achieve peace, equality and freedom. He made the quotes over the course his life and they illustrate the kind of person that Nelson Mandela was. He said: "Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished," and "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." He also said: "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner." "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."

He also said, "Freedom would be meaningless without security in the home and on the streets." In a few days Nelson Mandela will be laid to rest among his own people. He was a colossus on the world stage, he was universally loved. His legacy will live on and must be built upon. The challenge for all political leaders is to follow the Mandela example and work together to bring peace, justice and human rights to the parts of the world that are currently ravaged by war and oppression.

I conclude with a short quotation from Morgan Freeman, who portrayed Nelson Mandela in the 2009 film "Invictus", who said in recent days:

Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century. Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honour, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve - a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of human kind.
As we remember his triumphs, let us, in his memory, not just reflect on how far we've come, but on how far we have to go. Mandela may no longer be with us but his journey continues on with me and with all of us".

May his gentle soul rest in peace.