When Nelson Mandela came to Wales in 1998 to accept the Freedom of Cardiff during the European Union summit, I had the pleasure of being part of the crowd to greet him – and even had the opportunity of shaking his hand and exchanging pleasantries!

I had popped out of work to be there and seeing him made a massive impression on me. It may sound dramatic, but to see him in the flesh was to know what greatness was like.

He was in his final year as president of South Africa and was clearly a man with the ability to truly lead his followers in his ideology, philosophy and way of life.

To be a good leader, you have to have good followers and that is why so many of us across the world will be joining in mourning today to witness the public memorial in Mandela’s honour.

The world’s leading statesmen will be in attendance and the momentous event will undoubtedly become a part of history.

Many of these statesmen and leaders will also be visiting the Celtic Manor for next year’s Nato summit.

Members of the public may not have the opportunity to meet them but there may be possibility to witness their visit, as I did Mandela’s, and it will still be a momentous occasion to have them in such close proximity.

If president Obama’s attendance is confirmed, it will be the first visit by a serving US president to Wales, providing us with huge opportunity to shine as the eyes of the world will really be turned towards us. If these visiting statesmen have some of the same leadership qualities that the late President Mandela demonstrated, then the world could be a better place and the Celtic Manor the birthplace of some truly world-changing visions and policies.