Today marks the 1^st anniversary of the death of our former South African President Mr Nelson Mandela.

We can all recall that sad morning when we all came to the realization that the father of the nation was no longer. For months false announcements of his death were spread, and with each announcement we held our breath hoping it wasn’t true.  But on the 5^th of December 2013 South Africa’s worst fear came true.

Where were you on that day? What was your reaction?

Earlier on in the week ZAlebs interviewed Afro-pop singer and South African musical legend, Ringo Madlingozi. This is what he had to share about where he was and his thoughts on that day when he heard of the passing of one of Africa's greatest icon.

“As you know the icon that was and still is uTata Nelson Mandela did more for the world and for Africa than many people we know. He raised a lot of hope inside many people at a time where there was no hope at all. Even in those trying times, Madiba still had a lot of love and joy to show to a lot of people. On the day of his passing, I think I was at home and the first thing that came to mind to me was simple shock. We all knew that this day would come, but when it did it really took us by surprise.

I was raised during the struggle, so I experienced part of the political fight that Madiba and many of our heroes fought for. For him it was always about the people, whether black, white, green or blue his struggle was for humanity as a whole. And of course the greatest lesson he taught us was forgiveness so it’s imperative that we as Africans exercise his life-principals and execute those principals in the most respectable manner possible. But also I think on this one-year anniversary of Madiba’s passing it’s important we move on but also to never forget."