I am late to the party here, and wish I had commented sooner. Truth is, when I first listened to this, I was so overcome with emotion that I simply bookmarked it so I could listen to it whenever I needed to be uplifted and to be reminded that the human race does have a few members who have earned the descriptions of "awe-inspiring greatness", "hero", and "worthy of being honored and emulated". Mandela is my hero and I so wish I could have had the privilege of knowing him.
In another thread which had also posted this video, there was a video of Asimbonanga performed by Johnny Clegg, the artist who wrote this magnificent piece, with a "surprise' appearance by Mandela himself - performed in 1999 when Mandela was 80. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024176420#post2
I watched this video with even more emotion (if that is possible) than what I felt when viewing this magnificent video that you posted. So many things jumped out at me - it was so obvious how much Johnny revered Mandela - all you had to do was look at his eyes. Mandela himself expresses such joy as he dances - I have never seen such a joyous smile (although I have to admit that Obama is a close second). Third, I was struck at how thin Mandela was - and I did some research and from what I understand now he was very thin when he was first released from prison in 1990 - and I understand he remained that way. There are probably no words to describe what he went through during those long 27 years. And, fourth, the full words of Asimbonanga are the most beautiful I have ever heard in any song.
Anyway, thank you so much for impacting my life in such a positive way by posting this achingly beautiful video.
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