Morning Fundamental Compass Direction: December 9, 2013

Our history books are filled with tyrants, dictators and demagogues who used their powers to try to change the course of history and enforce their legacy permanently into the annals of history. Nelson Mandela was a very different type of titan in the history of mankind. The greatest legacy of Nelson Man-dela may not be his own extraordinary life and achievements but the legacy of the millions of people who have been inspired by him to even more extraordinary acts. Many men may forever exist in the history books but Nelson Mandela will forever exist in the hearts of souls of people all around the world.

The following paragraphs are a selection of tributes from world leaders to Nelson Mandela.

"Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rohlihla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, noth-ing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity, earned him their love." South African Presi-dent Jacob Zuma.

"He achieved more than could be expected of any man and today he's gone home and we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages," U.S. President Barack Obama.

"He was a great unifier and a very, very special man in this regard beyond everything else he did. This em-phasis on reconciliation was his biggest legacy." F.W. de Clerk, South Africa's last white president and the man who released Mandela from prison in 1990 and shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela in 1993.

A memorial service to cater for 200,000 people is being planned for December 10 in South Africa where more than 30 leaders from the world are expected to attend. Mandela's body will then lie in state in Pre-toria from December 11 to December 13. A funeral will then be held in his home town of Qunu on De-cember 15.