“Simunye – we are one.” Is a Zulu word and common blessing and mantra I heard over and over while living in South Africa. I lived in South Africa in 1997-1999 and traveled back and forth to there in the following years another half dozen times. My parents Bill and Beverley Gibson (originally from Nova Scotia) moved there in 1996 and now call South Africa home where my Dad does leadership and sales training for all kinds of South African organizations.

I feel privileged and blessed to have lived there during such an amazing time of transition and reconciliation.  At that time Desmond Tutu sightings were a weekly occurrence for me in Sandton. In many instances I witnessed true reconciliation and acknowledgment between people in South Africa that I have yet to see here in Canada or anywhere else I have visited in the world. Here are some great quotes by Nelson Mandela Tweeted out from around – Rest in Peace Madiba:

Thank you for making the world a better place! #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/Cc9KTzvKnu

— Rizki Aljupri (@RizkiAljupri) December 6, 2013

No system can never stop the ones determined for change #NelsonMandela #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/IcJ6sf0Mpy

— Artsico (@artsico) December 6, 2013

A man whole truly made a difference with his life. #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/pJoz6BZpmL

— SoccerGoalieProblems (@soccgoalieprobs) December 6, 2013

Today we honor a great leader who inspired a generation. #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/DinxNIHKXX

— Fair Trade Certified (@FairTradeUSA) December 6, 2013

#RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/42qXSRnb46

— chill tweets (@chilltweetss) December 6, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/8fbz7fpw7M

— Women's Football (@womensfootie_id) December 6, 2013

He spent 27 years in Jail and had this to say when he walked out. Respect ?? #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/dgmGQUNLVi

— Shivneel Chauhan (@Shivneel_dotcom) December 6, 2013

#RipNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/M5KRE1ND3z

— The Trend Setter™ (@xtiandela) December 6, 2013

Today we mourn and celebrate the life of a man who changed the world because he believed in it. #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/0WGO1pPwSd

— Kozlovsky Brazil (@KozlovskyBR) December 6, 2013

#RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/DjkqwIf1sU

— Zendaya Coleman (@Zendaya) December 5, 2013

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." #Quote #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/NdQflWsLUL

— Xiluva Nyane (@Xiluvanyane) December 5, 2013

It's in our hands. #RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/hbPnzyvE9f

— JAI&SKIP REFOLLOW? (@Dailyfangirl) December 5, 2013

Join ONE in honoring #NelsonMandela & the fight against poverty: "Let your greatness blossom"http://t.co/LDj8ZnSQto pic.twitter.com/lTOlQwiP8p

— ONE (@ONECampaign) December 6, 2013

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." — Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/TJZfQuRMsJ

— People magazine (@peoplemag) December 6, 2013

"Overcoming charity is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." –@NelsonMandela #EndPoverty pic.twitter.com/wVEkvxz9wW

— Half the Sky Mvmt (@Half) October 17, 2013

If u want to make peace w/ ur enemy, then u must work with ur enemy. Then he becomes ur partner – Nelson Mandela #quote pic.twitter.com/77H6Kmr0

— Converging Worlds (@ConvergeWorlds) June 25, 2012