Nelson, you were such a principled man.
Born into royalty and studying law.
You knew right from wrong.
Your supporters held you in awe.

Your beliefs saw you rise up and protest,
Wanting to dismantle that awful apartheid.
You challenged the system time and again,
With the ANC very close to your side.

Imprisoned for 27 years, released in 1990.
Rent free on Robben Island for so long.
Then that famous walk to freedom.
You were right and they were wrong.

Seen by countless across the world,
Your class and statesmanship for all to see.
Becoming South Africa’s first black president,
You led your country well so all could be free.

Reconciliation and multi-racial democracy,
They were the aims you professed.
At 95 years old you finally left us.
Respected and admired and blessed.