Mandela was a friend to all he knew
by Mary Slack
2013-12-10 07:05:15.0
IT WAS difficult not to be completely starstruck on first meeting Nelson Mandela, but as time passed my feelings changed and deepened into a far greater appreciation of this colossus of a man. Naturally his qualities of leadership and statesmanship were already well known to South Africans, and from the moment of his release became so to the rest of the world because his message of reconciliation and a shared future for all South Africans was so foreign to widely held stereotypes of African leaders.
Millions across the globe watched transfixed as the rainbow nation queued for up to half a day in extraordinary good humour to cast their votes, most often for the first time. No one but Mandela could have achieved this.
Madiba was a truly great man and I will never forget his extraordinary personal qualities — those of friendship, of loyalty to both family and friends, his generosity of spirit, politeness and deep interest in the opinion of others. He had no hesitation in asking advice from anyone, no matter their age, sex or station in life.
I was amazed on several occasions to be asked for my views on a question he had posed, and for him — to appear at least — to listen attentively to my response. And to this day I wish I had given a different answer when he asked me if he should step down after only one term as president.
More evidence of the importance Madiba placed on friendship and his attention to detail were his delightful birthday telephone calls, his hospital visits to the sick and his genuine interest in news of one’s family.
Nelson Mandela represented the nation in the most remarkable way, setting standards which we must hope and pray our present and future leaders will seek to emulate and to complete his long walk to freedom and democracy.
The world mourns the passing of its most revered citizen, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, none more than every South African. He touched each and every one of us, young, old, black, white, rich and poor, and all of us are the worse for his passing but the better for his life.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family at this time.
Former president Nelson Mandela. Picture: SUNDAY WORLD
IT WAS difficult not to be completely starstruck on first meeting Nelson Mandela, but as time passed my feelings changed and deepened into a far greater appreciation of this colossus of a man. Naturally his qualities of leadership and statesmanship were already well known to South Africans, and from the moment of his release became so to the rest of the world because his message of reconciliation and a shared future for all South Africans was so foreign to widely held stereotypes of African leaders.
Millions across the globe watched transfixed as the rainbow nation queued for up to half a day in extraordinary good humour to cast their votes, most often for the first time. No one but Mandela could have achieved this.
Madiba was a truly great man and I will never forget his extraordinary personal qualities — those of friendship, of loyalty to both family and friends, his generosity of spirit, politeness and deep interest in the opinion of others. He had no hesitation in asking advice from anyone, no matter their age, sex or station in life.
I was amazed on several occasions to be asked for my views on a question he had posed, and for him — to appear at least — to listen attentively to my response. And to this day I wish I had given a different answer when he asked me if he should step down after only one term as president.
More evidence of the importance Madiba placed on friendship and his attention to detail were his delightful birthday telephone calls, his hospital visits to the sick and his genuine interest in news of one’s family.
Nelson Mandela represented the nation in the most remarkable way, setting standards which we must hope and pray our present and future leaders will seek to emulate and to complete his long walk to freedom and democracy.
The world mourns the passing of its most revered citizen, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, none more than every South African. He touched each and every one of us, young, old, black, white, rich and poor, and all of us are the worse for his passing but the better for his life.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family at this time.
