Mandela will be criticized, demonized, and/or called many things by his detractors. But nothing will change the fact that he was a true Statesman and a believer in democracy, equality, and peace.
He is one of the greatest examples of a national Leader obeying and subjecting himself to the rule of law under his country's constitution. Mandela testified in court and willingly subjected himself to the court's rulings during his time as President when he could have exempted himself. He could have become a total dictator but he didn't. He befriended the very prison guards who watched over him and even made some of them his personal body guards. He is the epitome of forgiveness, constitutional leadership, and selflessly leading his country to be a better place.
It made me sick to hear Obama go on about his "relationship" with Mandela. Obama is not even good enough to wash Mandela's underwear.