A voice from the wilderness: The day I met Nelson Mandela

The early 90’s in my home country of South Africa were interesting times indeed.

Nelson Mandela was released from a 27-year long prison sentence on the 11th February 1990, and from then on, nothing would ever be the same.

SA was entering a transition and the sense of change in the air was palpable but with mixed sentiments. While the conservative worldview was one of pessimism the general mood on the streets was one of relief that the sun had finally set on the dreaded apartheid era. Understandably, emotions ran high.

It was amidst this backdrop that I had the immense privilege of meeting the man, the myth, the mystery. Possible all of these things, but certainly one thing: the greatest statesman and proponent of reconciliation and political healing that the world has ever known. Nelson Mandela.

When the rainbow nation was born

It would come 8 weeks after he was released from prison, which was the day that I saw him for the first time. Television footage captured one of the most iconic images of our rich, and at times, inglorious political past, and for the first time I knew what he looked like.

As political prisoners were banned, so were all photographs, images, speeches and writings. The man who emerged from the Victor Verster prison on that day looked nothing like the one I imagined; I saw a stately dignified older man, hardly the violent revolutionary terrorist the apartheid propaganda had portrayed him to be

His smile and demeanour did not fit the bill. It is my belief that after his historic speech that day, at a time where noone knew or could possibly predict what he would say, that the seeds of the rainbow nation were born.

“How are you?” he gently asks

Fast forward 8 weeks. The transition process is tiptoeing forward. I find myself working at a lodge called Bongani Mountain Lodge close to the Kruger National Park.

We are told by the management that Mr Mandela and his entourage are going to be visiting the lodge for ten days for some down time. The small detail of security, a personal secretary and physician and aids arrive and as I am carrying luggage to his suite, I catch a glimpse of Mr Mandela.

He is sitting in a leather sofa in the soft sun and he beckons me over. "How are you?” he gently asks reaching out his hand. The first thing I notice is the strength of his grip and the power in his arms, and there is a warm and genuinely concerned way about him, leaving me in no doubt that his question was sincere.

The sincerity was always evident

I would discover that this politeness and gesture was standard operating procedure with Mr. Mandela as he would always enquire about people’s health regardless of how many times he would meet someone.

The sincerity was always evident. “Thank you for carrying my suitcase,” he would add. There was no airs or graces about him whatsoever. Something stirred within me as I stumbled out of the suite, “You are most welcome.” I believe I responded but can’t be sure.

We would occasionally spend time with Mr Mandela during his stay at the lodge, as he visited the restaurant, office or go for walks on the grounds, or discussions about conservation and game reserves. He was 72 at the time, and often required assistance from his aids as his back and knees troubled him. No doubt relics from the days of hard labour in prison I wondered.

Nelson Mandela – leader and legend

Little did we know what would befall my country under his incredible leadership a short time afterwards, and when he was finally inaugurated as president in 1994.

At the time of meeting the great man I could have no concept of the depth and resolve of his statesmanship, humility, graciousness and humanity that would go on to inspire countless South Africans like myself, and not only the social landscapes at home and across Africa, but global politics as well.

I have seen much and met many on my travels as a safari guide through seven different countries, but nothing much can beat the day I carried that suitcase.

Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5th 2013, aged 95.