Tribute: Nelson Mandela Poem by Matshona Dhliwayo

"Tonight, I salute not the sun.
Tonight, I salute not the stars.
Tonight, I laud a hero.
Tonight, I extol a legend.
Tonight, I hail Nelson Mandela.

'He came from the sky, ' some say.
'He came from the stars, ' others claim.
'He came from Heaven, ' many declare.
'He came from God, ' all affirm.

Madiba, you are my teacher.
Madiba, you are my elder.
You are my father.
You are my hero.

I won't break even if they imprison me.
I won't shake even if they threaten me.
I won't weep even if they kill me.
I won't yield even if they assassinate me.

You are our symbol of courage.
You are our emblem of hope.
You are our model of faith
You are our paragon of love.
You are our champion.
You are our hero.
You are our legend.

We fight for you.
We suffer for you.
We are even prepared to die for you.
You opened our eyes.
You opened our ears.
You opened our minds.
You opened our hearts.

How sharp your mind was.
How strong your heart was.
How pure your soul was.
You were a fox,
you were a lion,
but you were also a dove.

Long live Madiba, Africa remembers you!
Long live Madiba, Africa honors you!
Long live Madiba, Africa celebrates you!
Long live Madiba, the world loves you! ! ! "
― Matshona Dhliwayo