SA
Jewish leaders remember Madiba
“Few people in the world have had an opportunity of having a mentor in their lives and, accordingly, a friend, as it was with me during the wonderful years I had with Nelson Mandela from 1990 until two years before his passing,” said Bertie Lubner, paying tribute to South Africa’s first democratically-elected president on the anniversary of Mandela’s passing.
SUZANNE BELLING
Lubner had a close association with Mandela through his chairmanship of outreach organisation Afrika Tikkun, his involvement in the World Economic Forum and having met the icon two weeks after his release from prison through the Creative Business Movement. The CBM had had the directive to be in touch with the ANC in exile.
As president of the SA Associates of Ben-Gurion University and a vice-president of the Board of BGU, Lubner was responsible for arranging the awarding of an honorary doctorate to the president at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
The well-known South African businessman and philanthropis, recalls his interaction with Mandela on many occasions, including when the former president invited himself to the 100th anniversary of Lubner’s PG company.
After the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York, the World Economic Forum, usually held in Davos, was to be held in New York as a sign of solidarity. Lubner was relentless in trying to reach Nelson Mandela to be a guest speaker, even when he himself landed up in hospital to undergo bypass surgery.
Unbeknown to Lubner, the president had been concerned about the businessman’s health and was in touch with Hilary Lubner. Special arrangements were made for Mandela to visit Lubner, even though only relatives were allowed.
“I was delusional,” said Lubner. “He put his hand on my shoulder and said: ‘When you come to me, you do the talking, when I come to you, I am the one to speak’.” In the end the weather in New York was too severe for Mandela and he didn’t go.
“This man earned the love and respect of the world. The only one who equalled him was Mahatma Gandhi.”
Ann Harris, chairman of the CK Harris Foundation, recalled her husband, the late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris at the time, and his “well-known and well-chronicled” friendship with Mandela. “They co-operated on many public platforms, including Afrika Tikkun, Codesa and a Gun Free South Africa. The most memorable, however, was Rabbi Harris’ readings from Isaiah at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president.
Mandela always expected Ann to be part of many events, which included his “secret” marriage to Graca Machel on the Friday before their official ceremony. “This was because the main ceremony was on Shabbat and we couldn’t attend.”
Herby Rosenberg, executive deputy chairman of Afrika Tikkun, remembers when Mandela came out to view one of the organisation’s early projects in Rietfontein. “Today I am seeing a miracle,” Madiba exclaimed.
Rosenberg thought he could take a cue from this remark to include the president in Afrika Tikkun, but desisted after a signal from Lubner that it was not the opportune time.
During his next meeting with Mandela, however, Lubner and Rosenberg were waiting for the arrival of Chief Rabbi Harris, co-chairman of Afrika Tikkun, whom Madiba called “My Rabbi”.
“When the Chief Rabbi arrived, Mandela said: `Comrade Herbert, do you remember when you started to tell me something when I was so impressed with your project? Please tell me now’.”
Not only did the president agree to become involved, but, at Bertie Lubner’s behest, he became patron-in-chief of Afrika Tikkun.
“No project could have a better endorsement than this,” Lubner said.
Rosenberg has in his possession a letter, signed personally by Mandela in his capacity as patron-in-chief of Afrika Tikkun, urging public support, in particular with funds, for the organisation.