South Africa united once again Floral tributes to Nelson Mandela pile up beneath a statue of him in Mandela Square at Sandton City, Johannesburg. Picture: AP Photo/Athol Moralee Source: AP Across the African continent, people praise Mandela and call on current leaders to emulate him. Jennifer Davis reports. Black or white, rich or poor, it doesn't make a difference in South Africa on this day. Everyone feels the loss of Nelson Mandela so deeply and completely it is as though he has managed even in death to continue his mission of uniting people. South Africa is crying for the man who was its son, brother and father. In mourning: Edward Ndlovu Source: News Limited Edward Ndlovu, aged 44, is a direct product of Mandela's influence for good. As an angry school student, he remembers singing about Mandela, demanding his release from jail. And when that finally happened in 1990, after 27 years, Ndlovu and his friend was ready to tear South Africa down if Mandela gave the order. We thought he would say, 'Let's have revenge.' But no. To be honest, we were prepared for violence. We'd been through a lot. We were mentally preparing for revolution. But he would not allow it. The sense of the streets of Johannesburg is that it is the centre of the world at this time. They know that there has perhaps never been such a global icon as Mandela, and they have always been glad to share him with the world. Seeing hope: Tshetpiso Source: News Limited Joseph Makgato, 59, says it like this: "We lost our prodigal son. To us, it means the world must now join hands because that was his wish. The whole world must pray for peace. Everyone, black and white, must do what the big man was preaching. Tshetpiso, 25, cannot find a job but believes she will because of Mandela. He went through everything and his life was a sacrifice for us. We are what we are today because of him. He gave us hope and I hope he rests in peace. The Nelson Mandela you didn't know Mandela film becomes eulogy Freed Mandela changed the world