On 6 December 2013, South Africa woke up to the sad news of the passing of a great icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela's death on SABC just 9PM on 5 December 2013.

"He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 8.50pm on December 5. He is now resting, he is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son," President Zuma said in an official statement.

Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the village of Mvezo in Umtata in the Eastern Cape. Given the forename Rolihlahla, a Xhosa term colloquially meaning "troublemaker"; Nelson was given to him by his school teacher. In later years he became known by his clan name, Madiba. He went on to dedicate 67 years of his life to the struggle for human rights, human dignity, gender and racial equality, a struggle which has changed the lives of each and every South African.

"We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world." These are the famous words from his 1994 inauguration speech. Tata will always be remembered worldwide as someone who firmly believed in the integrity of people.

 

He always strived to unite. Who could forget the 1995 Rugby World Cup when, following South Africa's victory, Mandela wearing a Springbok rugby shirt and cap, presented the Webb Ellis Cup to the South African captain Francois Pienaar. That day, he truly showed South Africans the true meaning of a rainbow nation.

"I believe that his example will live on and that it will continue to inspire all South Africans to achieve his vision of non-racialism, justice, human dignity, and equality for all; Tata, we shall miss you, but know that your spirit and example will always be there to guide us to the vision of a better and more just South Africa," said Former South African President F.W. De Klerk.

Mandela's tireless fight to end apartheid in South Africa and his stature as a global icon has made collectables associated with the icon extremely popular. Let us take a moment to appreciate the man through books, coins, autographs and all manner of collectables and stamps.

Most importantly, the spirit of Madiba's legacy will live forever, woven into the fabric of human kind all over the world. We love you Tata, may your soul rest in eternal peace.