I say today Mandela is a very very

good man.

I became captivated by the stories of the men and women of South Africa that we know

and love today, but the one thing that drove me was to meet and photograph Nelson Mandela

but I was told by all and sundry it was never gonna happen.

This country you know we were prepared to see the most incredible race war, erupt.

There comes a time that

you either succumb or you fight back.

I felt so humbled to be part of such bravery.

When he walked out of jail we didn't even know were crying.

The whole world just came to a standstill.

We never imagined that Mandela is going to be president

That I'm going to be a member of parliament.

Happily, I lived long enough to experience

a change.

When Nelson Mandela asked to see the portraits of these men and women that had become part of a project

that he'd inspired

that moment was the most humbling moment of my life.

Phillip Tobias. Dr Phillip Tobias.

I think you know him, that's FW.

Sorry Madiba you were saying, when you were in prison

Mandela represents an image of possibility.

He still had the capacity to forgive so many ugly things.

He respects all life. He doesn't even kill a fly.

Why is it that we admire people like

Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela? The answer must be

that it is because they are good!

Perfect.

I can see you!

At one point I looked up and every single one of the crew was crying.

And all I could think about was, I hope this is in focus.

Tilt it down a bit please. Perfect.

I chose to photograph a reflection of Nelson Mandela

so that when we look at that portrait we can reflect

on ourselves, we can reflect on his legacy

and we can reflect on our future.

Never, never, and never again

Shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience

the oppression of one by another. Let freedom reign!

God Bless Africa!