[x]

The Mandela situation is a lot like the MLK Jr. situation. People want to focus on their ideology rather than the pragmatism of their decisionmaking and their ability to navigate through without provoking wide spread physical conflict. It would have been so easy for either the US or the SA situations in the sixties to have devolved into bitter long term partisan violence.

Good point. White rule and apartheid South Africa weren't going to last forever. Their end could have been a lot more violent and destructive without Mandela and de Klerk.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well now that Mandela has passed off the scene, what will happen next. I hope it isn’t just riots. That’s the trouble with a small-s savior who makes himself an idol instead of pointing to God. Once he’s off the mortal coil... vacuum city.