Former South African President Nelson Mandela died last night aged 95.
A revered figure, he dedicated his life to fighting racism, tackling inequality and ending poverty.
For most of his life he paid a huge sacrifice for his anti-apartheid beliefs by spending 27 years incarcerated.
After being released in 1990 he began a well-documented political campaign that saw him become the first black president of South Africa.
MM took to the streets to find out what the public thought of Mandela and to see what impact he had had on their lives.
We asked: How has the life and death of Nelson Mandela affected you?
Jhiremay Serek, 31, from West Africa, said: “Mr Mandela had a good mind and a good heart. His body was strong.
“He meant a lot to my father who is 70 and he means a lot to me.
“Presidents die all the time and no one cares so what does it say now?
“It affects me because his idea of freedom was black and white people together. Many years ago people would have been happy about his death, but not anymore.
“Where I am from people are fighting. If they listened to Mandela then they would not fight, they could see the difference.”
Dineo More, a 22-year-old a customer service advisor from Chorlton, said: “It’s quite upsetting because I moved here when I was four, I wasn’t born in this country, I was born in Johannesburg.
“If it wasn’t for him then I would not be here.”
Manni Sarr, a 56-year-old caretaker from Moss Side, said: “I look at him like a dad, like a father figure. Many people do. He was a good person.”
Janine Bailey, a 21 year-old waitress who lives in the Northern Quarter, said: “I feel a loss. He did a lot for black people and communities and stood up for what was right which I think is still affecting us today.
“Everything he did with racism and hate crimes is so important, I think people can still learn a lot from him.”
David Calvert, a 21-year-old graphic designer, said: “He’s inspirational to me because he went to prison for something that he was passionate about.
“You would have expected him to be angry and vengeful but he was forgiving. That’s inspirational to anyone.”
Andy Watson, a 58-year-old office manager from Ancoats, said: “It’s very sad news. Me being old enough to remember his incarceration, I’ve always admired him as an outstanding human being.”
Warren Baitman, a 30-year-old shop manager, said: “The tweets about his death are incredible. Such a great show of respect and it’s clear that we should remember what he did and why.’
James Boyle, a photographer from Miles Platting, said: “I kind of look at it from afar really in the sense of I know who he was and what he stood for.
“He clearly affects many people, but I don’t quite know how he affects me.”
Mike Brown, 23 year-old shop assistant from Swinton, said: “When I think of Nelson Mandela I think of that song. It’s a great song.
I only know the words ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ but you know someone is important when they have a song.”
Image courtesy of South Africa The Good News via WikiCommons via Flickr, with thanks.
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