Washington, DC — All of us at The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa wish to express our profound sympathy and condolences to the family of Nelson Mandela, to the people of South Africa, and to those who mourn around the world for the loss of someone who can never be replaced.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF NELSON MANDELA

FAREWELL HERO OF HEROES,

YOU WHOSE GREAT SACRIFICE AND COURAGE

SAVED AND LIFTED A NATION,

WHILST ILLUMINATING THE WORLD

THROUGH YOUR EXAMPLE OF LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.

FAREWELL WARRIOR AND LEADER,

YOU WHOSE FIGHT AGAINST OPPRESSION

EXPOSED HATRED BORNE OUT OF RACISM

AND THEN AFTER THE BATTLE WAS WON

YOU HELPED HEAL THE SCARS AND UNITE ALL PEOPLE.

FAREWELL FATHER AND FRIEND,

YOU WHO PARENTED AND GUIDED A RENEWED COUNTRY

AND SHOULDERED THE BURDEN OF ALL ITS CHILDREN, BLACK AND WHITE,

WITH A SMILE AND A COUNTENANCE

THAT WILL NEVER AGAIN BE SEEN.

WHILE WE SAY FAREWELL, WE WILL NOT SAY GOODBYE,

FOR WHAT YOU GAVE AND WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY SIMPLY BY YOUR PASSING,

INSTEAD THE SEEDS OF PEACE AND EQUALITY AND HARMONY YOU SOWED

WILL FOREVER SOAR WITH YOU IN THE CONSCIENTIOUS OF HUMANKIND.