It is only fitting that such an amazing man be remembered with joy and singing in his passing and that is exactly what happened in South Africa, Tuesday. With the death of Nelson Mandela last week, December 5, hundreds of South Africans gathered to commemorate the great humanitarian hero. The FNB Stadium in Sowento, Johannesburg was filled with those who wanted to mourn Mandela's legacy.

Though there was some rainfall during the celebration, there was nothing that could stop the people from celebrating the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate's life. People blew vuvuzuelas and sang songs that were relevant in the times of anti-apartheid struggle that Mandela spearheaded.

Most of those who were interviewed about the affair were grateful for the role of Mandela in African history. Matlhogonolo Mothoagae, a postgraduate marketing student, arrived hours before the gates were opened; so excited was he to be part of the event. "I would not have the life I have today if it was not for him. He was jailed so we could have our freedom," he said.

Mandela's preaching of forgiveness and reconciliation is also monumentally historic in that he was able to rectify what was already a hostile situation, to say nothing of the fact that this was after he was imprisoned in a political move after he was the face of anti-apartheid.

The stadium, which is able to hold an estimated 95,000 people, is also a very significant place in that it was the venue for the last time Mandela made his public appearance. To follow the memorial, his body will lie in state for a total of three days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria; after which Mandela's remains will be buried in the village of Qunu in Eastern Cape Province-Mandela's childhood town. An appropriate resting place for a man who will always rest in power.