Archbishop Desmond Tutu salutes 'magician' Nelson Mandela for uniting country

Former South African President Nelson Mandela was like a "magician," who turned the country burning up in flames on the brink of war into a glorious, multi-coloured rainbow of united people with his magic wand, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said.

Tutu spoke at a memorial service organized for Mandela in Johannesburg. He said that the world must not mourn Mandela's death, but rather celebrate his life as an example, News24 reports.

He remembered Mandela for emerging from that crucible of suffering of his 27-year incarceration under the apartheid regime's racial laws, but instead of being consumed by hate and a lust for revenge, he became a stalwart for reconciliation and forgiveness.