In his autobiography Nelson Mandela wrote that he wanted to free himself from prison and undo the shackles of apartheid but he also wanted to free those who jailed him. This will be among the enduring legacies of his life. What he did during his lifetime will be part of history but, in his death, he has taught all of us a lesson in democracy.

For the funeral ceremony in Johanesburg last week to commemorate the one man who dominated the world stage after the 1990s the world media were there in force. All the major countries were represented at the highest level with President Obama being the star speaker.

I am not going to comment on what was said or done there but rather on the presence of political foes walking together with the leaders. The USA was represented by the President who was accompanied by all other living former Presidents. The latter come from both the Republicans and the Democrats. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron was accompanied by Tony Blair and others who had held the same office. France was represented by President Hollande who brought along with him as part of his delegation former President Sarkozy. Seeing these leaders together meant that, regardless of each one’s political views or positions, the country was paying tribute. It was a tribute that did not depend upon an accidental political happening of who was in power at that particular point in time.

We all must learn from such display of real democracy. Respect for each other is the pillar of democracy. The unity of the State as a symbol of patriotism is crucial for ordinary people to appreciate that leaders come and will go but the State is permanent.

No leader from a developing country showed the same magnanimity about those who had known Nelson Mandela when they were in offi ce. The fact that Madiba could in death get political foes to attend his funeral ceremony is a mighty lesson that he has taught. But this also shows that democracies – the real ones – do not demonise their political rivals. For them and to them democracy means what it should mean and I hope that the day will come when even in this ‘plaisir’ country we can have the pleasure of seeing that kind of democracy in action.

Nevertheless it is a sad sign of our times that, at almost the very moment when the whole world was awed by the legacy of Madiba who was able to reconcile what seemed irreconcilable during the inhuman days of the apartheid regime, North Korea was executing someone for what appears to be political reasons associated with the consolidation of power in the hands of the young leader, Kim Jong Un, who is perpetuating a dynasty whose thirst for blood seems unquenchable. Madiba’s legacy has not made an impact on North Korea so far.

Although cynics suggest that the only lesson thatwe learn from lessons is not to learn them, Madiba’s legacy will eventually work its way even in North Korea.