The day I bumped into Mandela – readers reveal their memories

Those of us who were able to meet the late great President Nelson Mandela will remember their “Madiba moment” forever. The SA Jewish Report asked community members to share their Mandela-magic.

Singing for a photo

Like many who have experienced a Madiba moment, I have a photograph strategically placed on the wall opposite my “meeting chair”. I have my back to the photographer, but the smile on Madiba’s face says it all.

In 2004, I had the privilege of having my choir invited to sing at the opening of the 466/64 A Prisoner in the Garden exhibition at Constitutional Hill, in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. The security detail was tight, and the timeline even tighter. Unfortunately – or fortuitously – I was caught in a typical Highveld storm as I battled my way across Johannesburg, arriving late. Everyone was inside the Constitutional Court foyer. Graça Machel and the other dignitaries were already inside. There was only one special guest for whom we all waited. Zelda la Grange, with her hand tucked under Madiba’s elbow, alighted from a black vehicle as they made their way to the door. We reached the door together, the three of us standing at the glass doorway. It really was as if time stood still. Madiba had a quiet aura about him. Nothing frenetic or contrived. I greeted him and La Grange, and excused my tardy timing. He smiled as he motioned for me to go through the door ahead of him, adding that I should enjoy the evening.

As my choristers sang Plea for Africa written by John Bokwe and made famous by Sibongile Khumalo, the words resonated for a long time afterwards: “G-d bless Africa and her sons and daughters; Breathe a prayer for Africa.”

My Madiba moment was poignant and lingers today. You’d be hard pressed to find such a gracious individual. The photo adorning my office is a constant reminder of leadership and what that really means. – Lynne  van Dellen, Johannesburg

Shopping for clothes

I used to work mornings at a telemarketing company in Randburg and then would rush back to my afternoon job at Flowerite in Sandton City (which was just opposite Stuttafords). On this day, when I arrived for my afternoon shift, there was a buzz in the air. I was told to rush upstairs (as we were just next to a stairwell which led up to the next level). Mandela was trying on clothes in the clothes shop upstairs (I forget the name of this exclusive men’s outfitter). There was a huge crowd. Everyone was staring into the shop window. And there was Nelson Mandela, so tall. Everyone was cheering and trying to get a glimpse of him. I was in awe. And all the poor man was trying to do was some clothes shopping. – Charmaine Chatkin, Johannesburg

Greetings to a young lady

I used to work at the Johannesburg General Hospital in the department of medicine and renal unit. It was 1995. I was working very late for a professor in his office after hours. I heard some people walking down the passage nearby. When I checked out of curiosity, there was Nelson Mandela standing with some body guards. He stopped to say hello, saying, “Good evening young lady. What are you doing here so late in the day? I’m pleased to meet you.” He gave me a big smile and shook my hand. I returned his greeting. It was such a lovely experience. He was so dignified. – Jodine  Krok, Johannesburg

Breakfast in Brussels

In late September or early October 1993, I was in Brussels coincidentally at the same time as Nelson Mandela. I had been asked as an expert on European South African relations to guide a group of South African journalists on a tour of European institutions in Brussels.

It turned out that  Mandela was visiting Brussels at the same time for a series of official engagements with the EU and Belgian government. This was about seven months before the first democratic elections, so Mandela was there as the leader of the African National Congress, not yet as head of state.

Tito Mboweni heard I was there. He was one of Mandela’s main speechwriters at the time as Madiba was asked so often to speak about the ANC’s economic policies. I had worked with Mboweni and other ANC officials on several speeches for Mandela, and was a member of the ANC’s economic policy group. He invited me to join the ANC delegation to help him work on a couple of speeches.

I was excited when we accompanied Mandela to a meeting with the Belgian king. Though I didn’t join the actual meeting, I was allowed to hang out in the royal place for a while.

But for me, the highlight was accompanying the ANC delegation to a dinner hosted by US businessman Edgar Bronfman Jr for the World Jewish Congress which was meeting in Brussels at the same time. Madiba spoke, seemingly impromptu, on the contribution of South African Jews to his journey and to the struggle against apartheid. He spoke fluently and entertainingly after dinner for more than an hour, and literally had the large and initially sceptical audience in the palm of his hand.

He talked with great affection of Lazar Sidelsky who gave him his first job and encouraged and enabled him to complete his law studies. He talked about the Jewish lawyers who defended him and many others in the Treason Trial, and Jews who had played a prominent role in the struggle against apartheid in the ANC, such as Joe Slovo and Ruth First, and outside the ANC such as Helen Suzman.

It was one of the proudest moments of my life, allowing me to combine my pride in my Jewish heritage with pride at being associated with the most impressive man I have ever met and the organisation he led. – Alan Hirsch, Cape Town

The official portrait

My father, Norman Sher, shared premises with Mandela and Oliver Tambo when they ran South Africa’s first black legal practice at Chancellor House, in Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg. I painted the only officially recognised painting of Chancellor House, which was also part of the We Love Mandela exhibition that travelled globally.—Eric Sher, Johannesburg