Journalists hear many fantastic talks and inspiring speakers but it is rare to be in the presence of greatness.

I have experienced it only twice: the first time as a first-year at Rhodes University, listening to Archbishop Desmond Tutu address the students. The second was when the late, great Nelson Mandela gave the address (on this page) at The Herald's 150th anniversary gala in 1995. His words that day at the Feather Market Centre left such a powerful imprint that today, nearly 20 years later, I still have not forgotten.

Both the metro's mayor at the time, Robben Island veteran Nceba Faku, and then-editor of The Herald Ric Wilson remember that night clearly. Wilson remembers the twinkle in Mandela's eye at the civic reception. "In typical fashion he all but ignored the men, including the hosts mayor Faku and myself, and joked and chatted with the women, including my late wife Rosemary — and flirted in avuncular Madiba-style with Miss Port Elizabeth. "Later ... I presented him with a framed front page of the Herald showing his swearing in as president and with the headline 'I, Nelson Mandela' above a picture of him with his hand raised."

Wilson said Mandela also greeted each member of the then-UPE choir, "shaking hands and greeting each one personally while his minders and aides kept looking at their watches". Recalling those days, Faku said: "We always remained very optimistic that freedom would come in our lifetime but we did not know it would be so special. He is a person who has always recognised his colleagues from underground, and had a way of putting political confidence in them."

Choir director Junita Lamprecht notes that the choir — now the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir — at the time was a "novelty" as a multicultural singing group. "He came to us afterwards and said, 'I am so proud of you, this choir represents the spirit of the new South Africa'."

Former Times Media publisher Derek Smith, who met Mandela several times, echoed the consideration he showed to all that night in 1995. "I was standing there, waiting to introduce him and he just came in, unannounced, no bodyguard."

As Mandela goes to his final rest at Qunu this weekend, may we all heed his unifying words on the spirit of a new South Africa.

By Gillian McAinsh

Article Source: The Herald