Yesterday, on a rainy Tuesday in Johannesburg, tens of thousands of South Africans were joined by celebrities, political leaders, royalty and many more to pay tribute and bid farewell to a man that changed the world in a profound way.

At Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, President Obama delivered a eulogy that touched many and spoke volumes to how much he respected, admired and appreciated who Mandela was and what he meant, not just to him, but to the world.  “To the people of South Africa – people of every race and every walk of life – we thank you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us,” the President told the crowd at the FNB Stadium Tuesday morning.  If you were unable to watch the memorial service live and would like to see a transcript of Obama’s eulogy, click here.

Blessing the world with his wisdom and spirit for 95 incredible years, Madiba has been so much to so many. Leaving behind six children, wife Graca Machel, as well as a nation and world filled people who will miss him dearly, we know that Mandela now rests in peace after living a full life that fell in line with what he valued as a member of the human race.  Nelson Mandela’s funeral will take place on Sunday, December 15^th and he will be laid to rest near relatives in Qunu, the South African village where he was born.

Also, to commemorate the anti-apartheid leader’s incredible life, Johnson Publishing Company will be releasing a commemorative issue of Jet magazine, as well as a major editorial tribute to Mandela in the February issue of Ebony.  These tributes will share images and stories about Mandela’s life, allowing us to capture what he meant to the world on the pages of two magazines that have always spoken to what’s relevant in our lives.

There are no words to truly capture the magnitude of Mandela’s contributions to the world, but here at BMWK, we mourn his death and we pay tribute to a man that changed the course of history.  He will surely be missed.