Agreed. Mandela was neither a figure deserving of worship nor a saint. However, he was a very influential figure in the fight against apartheid and set a good example to follow. He is worthy of remembrance, although not worship.
I can certainly understand black South Africa treating him as a hero and indulging in hero worship. Me, I just highly respect the man, his tenacity and ability to forgive those that took 27 years off his life, for standing up for freedom.
