Knowing Nelson Mandela, he will be smiling. His memorial service in South Africa was one of the largest gatherings of dignitaries in recent times and it brought together many from far and wide.

Apart from Mandela himself, the memorial service will be remembered for two other things, the selfie that has gained notoriety, and the fake sign language interpreter.

One at a time. The selfie (self taken photo on a phone) taken by British Prime Minister David Cameron, US President Barack Obama and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has been met with a mixture of reactions. The Sun newspaper used the shot on its front page with the headline “No selfie-respect”. It even seemed that Mrs Obama, sat just out of frame, was not too impressed either. But while the papers and television have pilloried the leaders, the internet has been unusually kind. Meme’s of Nelson Mandela at the Pearly Gates with St Peter have shown then posing for a selfie, with a speech bubble showing Mandela chuckling. At the same time, blogs have popped up in defence of them, saying that if Mandela could see what was going on, it would appeal to his humour. In this argument, we are with the leaders. The memorial was as fun as it was somber, and that is the spirit which Madiba would have wanted it.

The second issue is a bit more serious. Apparently, the man who was interpreting President’s Obama’s speech in sign language was nothing but a fraud. First of all, the stunt it made a mockery of people who are deaf. It was, no doubt about it, insulting to anyone with a hearing disability. But there is another argument to make. This man was supposed to be vetted as a certified interpreter, but he was not. He must have lied to get ‘the job’, but in doing so, he wound up standing right next to Barack Obama. Now, if that is not a security risk of epic proportions, we don’t know what is. We do not mean a risk posed by the man in question, but if this impostor could do it, then anyone can. Such lax security could allow terrorist otganisations to possibly infiltrate other events and make an attempt on a world leader’s life. No doubt, heads will have rolled in South Africa.

The service was a fitting send off to the great leader and peacemaker that he was. His name is on everyone’s lips and remembering his life seems to have inspired many. All too often we focus on the negatives. But Mandela gave us something positive to think about, and this was reflected in the speeches that were made. We all have something to learn from Madiba. We can learn to forget our bitterness, just as he did. We can work for peace, and to eradicate poverty. We can all get along together, regardless of race or creed. It just took the death of one man to remind us. The world is what it is, a rat race that goes at 100 kph. But all it takes is one man to make time stand still. Mandela was one of them.