Biography

[b]PEN SKETCH OF MANDELA, THE BOY[br /]

The Backdrop : Qunu Village[/b][br /]
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Bestowed with abundant natural beauty and ethnic culture, Qunu represented Africa in a nutshell. It was a barren land with few trees and bushes. The only proof of human habitations was the huts or ‘rondarals’ as known in Africa. With small doors to enter, the huts had the smell of cow dung, used to smoothen the surface of walls and floors. Trails of footsteps of children and women were the only roads in the area. Very few cemented structures were found in the surroundings. The only icons of wealth were the goats, sheep and cattle, which grazed the scarce grass that grew around the locality. Poverty was the naked truth glaring at the faces of the people. Constant struggle for necessities aroused every now and then. Maize, pumpkin and beans was the staple diet of the people. Women and children formed the major population of the village. Children either worked or whiled away their time playing. Education was unheard of in the village. Families were closely knit. They did not make the same distinctions among relations practiced by the Europeans. Therefore, even a distant relation with each other meant they belonged to the same family.[br /]
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In such black homeland of Transkei was born a boy on July 18, 1918 to Henry, the leader of tribe. The boy was baptized Rolihlahla. The first name could be prophetically, interpreted, as "trouble maker." His birth was an insignificant and mundane event in the eyes of the people. His father was a respected counselor to the Thembu royal family.[br /]
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The boyhood of the future president was peaceful enough, spent by normal activities of cattle herding and other rural pursuits. Mandela was a robust and carefree lad who loved nature. His friends always gave him company. Even late at night, they used to chat and sleep together.[br /]
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When he was about five, he became a shepherd and used to tend sheep and calves in the fields. From the very beginning, he was spiritual by nature. He felt the omnipotence and omnipresence of God. His parents had little influence on him. He cherished watching sunsets and vivid landscapes. His playthings were a catapult (sling), toys made of clay and bamboo sticks with which he learned stick fighting. His father a polygamist with four wives and the chief of the tribe and his mother busy with households, they never paid enough attention to the kids. Nelson Mandela recalls his childhood, "As boys, we were mostly left to our own devices. We played with toys we made ourselves. We molded animals and birds out of clay. We made ox-drawn sleighs out of tree branches. Nature was our playground. The hills above Qunu were dotted with large smooth rocks, which transformed into our own roller waster we sat on flat stones and slid down the face of the large rocks. We did this until our backsides were so sore. We could hardly sit down. I learned to ride by sitting atop weaned claves – after being thrown to the ground several times, one got the hang of it." He as a boy had observed the things and learnt the lessons of life from those experiences. Once he was playing with the boys. They were riding on the back of an unruly donkey. When Rolihlahla’s turn came, he jumped on and the donkey bolted into a nearby thorn-bush. The thorns pricked and scratched his face and he felt embraced among his pals. The upbringing of children in African countries is such that boys develop a high sense of dignity, or what the Chinese call "face". Mandela recalls, "I had lost my face among my friends." Instead of planning for regaining his "face" he made a point for life that humiliating others was offering them an unnecessary cruel fate.[br /]
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Another peculiarity of African upbringing was that children had an absolute distinction between a girl and a boy from their very childhood. Usually boys played among themselves. As a child Rolihlahla was fond of most games. And at times when the boys allowed girls to mingle and play with them, they preferred to play games like ndize (hide-and-seek) and icekwa (touch-and-run). But Rolihlahla enjoyed playing khetha the most. The game meant of choosing the one girl, whom you like. It was not an organized game but a spur of the moment sport. The girls were given the right to choose the boy they liked, and their choice was respected. But the girls outwitted them as they would confer among themselves and choose one boy, usually the plainest fellow, and then tease him all the way home. The games are one of the most memorable parts of his memories, which the President loves to cherish as the man in his eighties.[br /]
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[b]The Shaping years[/b][br /]
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At a very early age, he was exposed to racism or ‘apartheid’. As most Xhosas at the time, Rolihlahla’s boyhood was shaping up by customs, rituals and taboos. It was at Qunu for the first time he came across few whites. Along with the African traditions one more thing had inscribed in him the difference between white and black. His conditioning had made his mind to some prevalent facts of the day. "These whites appeared as grand as gods to me, and I was aware that they were to be treated with a mixture of fear and respect." Recalls Mandela in his autobiography. Analysts view the extreme exposure to racism at an early age as the decisive factor in the making of Mandela – the leader and the Democrat.[br /]
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[b]SCHOOL – How He Got His Name[/b][br /]
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At the age of seven, Rolihlahla’s father decided to send him to school. It was a proud moment for Mandela as no one from his family had ever attended school. Until the first day of school, he wore the traditional black blanket. In school, he changed his attire to half torn pants cut from his father’s trousers. The cut-off pants were very loose for him, so a string was tied to prevent it from falling. Mandela felt shy and comical wearing those awkward pants. Miss Mdingane was his first teacher at school and also played the priest for little Rolihlahla.[br /]
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[b]GETTING A NEW NAME[/b][br /]
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The British considered Africans inferior to them. The Whites were either unable or unwilling to pronounce their ethnic African names. Everything, which was British, was highlighted and glorified. African culture and ethics were always derailed and looked down upon. In school, the Black children were given Christian names to suit their convenience. In the line of precedence, Miss Mdingane gave Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela, a new name, Nelson, which became Nelson Mandela.[br /]
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[b]The Making of a Leader[/b][br /]
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The Peacemaker for the world and a troublemaker by name stood by the meaning of his name for his guardian. He turned out to be a runaway groom, when his guardian decided his marriage. By the standards of his tribe, he was the most eligible man to get married and his guardian, David, who had looked after him diligently as a responsible father, arranged his marriage without Rolihlahla’s concern. He selected fat and dignified girl and paying 108 lobola. All was set for the wedding. The man imbibed with the ideas of liberty and rights could not respect his guardian’s decision. He fled to Johannesburg with his nephew, four-year-elder to him.[br /]
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The dice which destiny had rolled over a period of time had given him clear vision of what he wanted in his future – The thought of freedom of his country and the blacks had made him firm to seek liberty in every walk of life. Enrolling into the missionary college of Fort Hare had set out the young on the long walk toward personal and national liberation.[br /]
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Johannesburg staged him for some of the debuts, which later played an important part in his life. The runaway groom managed a job as a clerk. This place made him witness few of the brutal cruelties of the time. On the very first day a senior white typist briefed him. He told him, "Look, Nelson, we have no color bar here, – when the tea boy brings the tea, come and get yours from the tray. We have brought to new cups for you and Gaur - Radike - another African employee. You must use them. Tell Gaur about your cups." The clear message was given to him. At tea time he accompanied Gaur, but Gaur took the old cup rather the new one given to them. Nelson to avoid any conflicts he did not have tea for months.[br /]
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Some months later a new typist, also a white and hissubordinate was at Nelson’s desk for some dictation. At that time a white client came. This made her embarrass to an extent that she dared to behave his boss. To demonstrate it she took 6d from her purse and said, ‘Nelson, please go and get me some hair shampoo from the chemist." Nelson had no say inspite being a senior employee. But the denial that Nelson buried in his mind, took form of a seed and germinated as a giant tree of freedom and equal rights for blacks. It shaped up in the form of the member of the African National Congress in 1944 while he did his LL.B from University of Witwatersrand.[br /]
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As a member of ANC, Mandela felt the leadership was biased and unwilling to support the party workers. Therefore, in 1944, he, along with Walter Sisulu, Oliver R. Thembu, Ashby P. Mda and William Nkomo formed the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).[br /]
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Mandela soon impressed his peers by his disciplined work and consistent effort and was elected to the Secretary ship of the Youth League in 1947. Later in 1951, Mandela became the national president of ANCYL. Nelson Mandela was considered as the core of the party and a vital member. He traveled extensively to broadcast the message of democracy and his commitment towards anti-apartheid policies. As a lawyer, he took up the cases of the needy and prejudiced. He became famous for his M-Plan (Mandela Plan) named after him, which helped to strengthen the party through constant contact with the workers. He portrayed an ideal leader and a humble human being. Seeing his enthusiasm and efforts, he was made deputy president of ANC in 1952. Bantu Education and the Freedom Charter accepted by the Congress of the people in 1952 were his master plans. All along his political career, he was victim to various forms of repression. He was banned, arrested and imprisoned frequently.[br /]
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In late 50’s Mandela was occupied with the struggles against the exploitation of labor, pass law, the nascent Bantustan policy, and the segregation of the Open Universities. By the close of the fifties he was banned, arrested and imprisoned. In 1956, he was arrested on charges of high treason. The case lasted for five years. He was one of the 156 political activists arrested and was charged with high treason for the campaign leading to the adoption of the Freedom charter in 1955.[br /]
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[b]Marriage And Family[/b][br /]
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Nelson had married Evelyn Mase, a nursing student living in Johannesburg, who grew up in Nelson’s home province. The young man was so involved in the moments that his personnel life during the period was little known. However, his involvement in the national issues had left him with little time for his wife and children. His marriage could not last more and he divorced Elelyn in 1957.[br /]
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Meanwhile, a young lady had come to Johanesburg for her graduation. She was Nomzamo Winifred ZanyiweMadikizdar. After her graduation she became Baragwanath Hospital’s first African medical social worker. As a student of social works she had come in close contacts with ANC members. In 1957, she met Nelson Mandela and was impressed by the work and realizing the importance of the movement became the member of ANC Women’s League and the Federation of South African Women. Mandela’s trial for treason was going on at that time and so were the frequent meets with Winnie. Both of them soon concluded their frequent meets with marriage in June 1958.[br /]
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The bond between the two did not hinder the movement, it rather gave the major needed push. The same year, while pregnant with her first child, Winnie was arrested while demonstrating against the anti-pass law. The arrest cost her job. The lady of substance like Winnie can only face such hardships. When she was married her husband was facing trials in the mammoth treason trial, she also had lost her job and had become mother of two daughters Zenani and Zindziswa. She had to shoulder the responsibility of parenting the kids all her life. Mandela, always busy with the freedom movement could hardly give time to the family. The little time he gave came to halt after 1962.[br /]
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[b]On His Way To Prison[/b][br /]
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After giving hard fight for 5 years he was finally discharged in March 1961. Mandela knew the need of the time to spread the movement in the nook corner of Africa. To knit the plan and be out of eagle’s eye he went underground.[br /]
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"I went underground to organize the May strike, and have never been home since" writes Mandela in his autobiography. For the purpose he toured Africa in 1962. He also visited England where he was received by Hugh Gaitskell, then leader of the Labour Party, and by Jo Grimond, leader of the Liberal Party. His movements across and beyond Africa had driven the South African government wild. To locate him on foreign land, when he was moving that fast from one country to other was no easy task, but to capture him. South African ground was easy and it was focused on. [br /]
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He returned to South Africa in July 1962 and within a month on August 5 was captured near Howick, Natal. He was tried and sentenced to five years imprisonment for incitement to strike and illegally leaving the country. While Mandela was in prison, police raided the underground headquarters of the African National Congress at Lilliesleaf Farm, Rivonia and arrested central ANC leaders. Police raided the underground headquarters of the African National congress, and found evidences to eradicate the biggest threat from the movement and separate the leader from their masses.[br /]
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He joined seven other accused being tried for the conspiracy to overthrow the government through revolution. Through the well-woven legal web he was thrown to the Robben Island for 18 years of lifetime imprisonment. The watch stopped for him but the time passed.[br /]
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[b]Life Imprisonment[/b][br /]
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The man Nelson Mandela stood tall against the harsh winter winds of hardships for almost 3 decades. The humiliation started from day one at Robben Island. When they entered they had to change dress. It meant to get stripped while standing outside. Such undignified rituals had to be adopted if one does not want any hostile reception during the stay. That was not all. Apartheid was practised even in clothing. The prisoners had two division-the blacks and the Indians. The blacks had short trousers, an insubstantial jersey and a canvas jacket while the Indians had long trousers.[br /]
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The cells for the prisoners were not worth comparing the cages in the zoo. They were constructed hurriedly and the walls were perpetually damp. Many mornings, a small pool of water would appear on the cold floor of the cell that was sizing hardly six feet in length and width. It had two doors - a metal gate with iron bars inside, and a thick wooden door outside that. During the day, only the grill was locked and at night the wooden door was locked as well. It meant that in the nights they were left with a foot square window for ventilation.[br /]
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Apart from some common hostilities, being a political prisoner was an added quality to be more deprived from basic facilities like letters, studies and opportunity to buy groceries and all which were the lifeblood of any prisoner. The number of letters and visitors a prisoner can receive would depend on the authority. Letters were also censored and visiting rooms were designed for non-contact visits.[br /]
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Other than visits there were no worldly contacts. Newspapers were the only source if one tackled it with tact. News was the intellectual raw material for struggle and they were deprived from it. Once after finishing the days work, Mandela saw a newspaper, which he carefully slipped in his shirt and carried it to his cell. Newspapers meant more valuable then gold and diamonds to the prisoners. He was soon engrossed in the paper and forgot the time and place. He did not even hear any footsteps approaching his cell. His concentration broke with three shadows over his head. An officer with other two wardens caught him with the newspaper and he paid for it with three days of isolation with deprivation of meals.[br /]
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[b]The Prison Life[/b][br /]
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Long 27 years imprisonment could have broken any man’s moral. But for Nelson Mandela, the words ‘liberty’ and ‘rights’ were no less than ‘inhale’ and ‘exhale’. The bright sky never left a ray of hope for the prisoners of Robben Island. The day started at 5:30 each morning when the warden would yell while standing in the corridor. Although the wake – up call given at 5:30, they were not allowed to come out of their cells till 6:45, instead, during that time they were suppose to clean their cells and finish with the task of evacuation in the ballies the authorities provided. When they were let out of the cells they were supposed to clean those ballies. Cleaning the ballies was pleasant for them, as that was the only time when the warders would be at distance because of the stinking smell.[br /]
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Like everything else in prison diet was discriminatory. For months they were not provided with breakfast. And in the midst of the breakfast, they would be called for inspection. Each prisoner was required to doff their hats and button their jacket. In case of any mistake they were charged with a violation of the prison code and punished with either solitary confinement or the loss of meals.[br /]
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Once they were through with inspection, courtyard with stones and hammers was ready for them. No breaks were given except for lunch. The lunch consisted of boiled meals, that is, course kernels of corn. The work continued till 4:00 in the evening. Then came the clean up call. Sea – water was used to bath. After half an hour supper was provided. At 8 p.m. they would be locked in the cells.[br /]
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During the cold African winter the things worsened. "The most important person in any prisoner’s life is not the minister of Justice, not the commissioner of prisons, not even the head of prison, but the warder." Writes Mandela in his autobiography. If a prisoner was at good terms with the warder than he would get the most needed blankets.[br /]
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Someday happiness peeped in the dragging schedule by visit of some family member or with someone’s letters. Once Mandela had a lucky day when big chunk of happiness walked in the prison of Robben Island. It was his mother accompanied by his son, daughter and sister. Four visitors were normally not allowed but considering the age of his mother and distance they were coming from, all were allowed to see him. Seeing his mother after a long period of time he found her very old. Then worries about his mother’s health loaded his mind. Several weeks later he was called in the office and the worries were unloaded forever. He was given a telegram, which read the death of his mother. He grieved in response to the news. He immediately requested a permission to attend her funeral in the Transkei. The grief mounted with the refusal. The days then passed with memories of his relationship with his mother. The vacuum he suffered was swallowing him and a bad news added to it. On one morning of July 1969, he was again called and was handed a telegram. This time it read the death of Madiba Them Bekile, his eldest son. No words could comfort a man in prison on an isolated island and in a cell with one square window.[br /]
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Till 1984, Mandela tried all that he could to keep the moment alive and going. Though his efforts had definitely laid an impression but the visible thing was only an added year of imprisonment. But from early ’85, efforts from all over the world seemed to pour in. In January, United States Senator Edward Kennedy visited South Africa to show his anti-apartheid support. He also visited Winnie Mandela and held talks with her regarding the movement. This was the first blow to apartheid government followed by many others. During the summer antiapartheid rallies were conducted in New York, Atlanta and Washington. Not only this every field tried to contribute something for the release of Mandela. World famous musicians played anti-apartheid tunes. Bruce Springsteen and Miles Davis released the anti-apartheid disk ‘Sun City’. The song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ reached the top ten on rock-music charts in England. All these moments across the world brought pressure on South African government but the turning point or fruit bearing of all the efforts started after the visit of Kobie Coetsee. Minister of Justice, to the hospital, where Mandela was admitted for prostate surgery. After recovering from surgery the first visible fruit was seen by allocation of separate cell from his comrades so the government can have private access to him. Victor Vertster, prison near Paarl was his last destination before release.[br /]
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The freedom movement had started becoming ore violent and government had to declare a State of Emergency in-response to the wide spread unrest in the black townships. Botha, the then President was forced to undergo secret talks with Mandela in order to solve the crisis. Mandela took few decisions without consulting other leaders of ANC organization. These decisions fetched reactions from outrage to strong support. There were also rumors that Mandela was ‘sold out’. All alone, behind the bars, seeing the country on blazes had led worries to creep in Mandela. He suffered from tuberculosis. After being treated for it he was transferred to Victor Verster Prison. There he was housed in an isolated cottage with a pool, a chef and gardens. His meeting with government continued but that led to no solution. After numerous delays, Botha agreed to meet Mandela. In the meet Mandela stressed on the release of Walter Sisulu. Before Botha took any decision, he resigned and F W de Klerk sworn in as the acting president. De Klerk took some quick decisions and it encouraged Mandela. He released the most of the Rivonia Trial Prisoners, including Sisulu and also started to dismantle apartheid structure.[br /]
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Mandela had his first meeting with De Klerk on December 13, 1989 and just after two months announced lifting of the bans against the ANC and other political organization.[br /]
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[b]Release From Jail[/b][br /]
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Prison life metamorphosed Mandela’s thoughts and emotions. What initially looked like a treacherous journey and a blockade in life turned into a soothing and soul-searching experience for Mandela. The prison walls, its hallways, the dim lights and tasteless food became a reality. He accepted it with humility and poise. After 27 years in prison, freedom was not the biggest of questions. Mandela’s persistence with his values took his war against apartheid to new heights. Inside the deep recesses of his heart, he evaluated himself and wanted to lead a life for his people. At 71this public official thought of freedom as an opportunity to serve people, freeing them of their sorrows.[br /]
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During his stay in prison, he befriended many and lit numerous souls. Warrant Officers Swart, James, Gregory and Brand are the people who took care of Mandela in his last years of confinement. Before the day of release, he embraced them all and expressed love for their compassion and understanding. It is because of these good-hearted people that his belief in humanity strengthened. He was given boxes to put his belongings. Books, manuscripts and other gifts that he received in prison filled over a dozen crates and boxes.[br /]
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The next day, that is on February 11, 1990, the time of release was set at 3 p.m. Winnie, his wife and Walter, his long standing friend were late. People and other dignitaries thronged the prison gates. The press and media had made elaborate arrangements to broadcast the moment worldwide. Mandela thanked the wardens and guards who looked after him and then decided to move out. Thousands of people, well wishers and party workers shouted slogans. Cameras flashed, making the atmosphere one of celebration. As Mandela raised his palm upwards, the crowd jeered and got out of control. People felt as if it was their day of freedom and liberation. Blacks and Whites alike celebrated the day with gaiety and pride. The wise and matured leader Mandela, walked patiently wearing a simple smile. As this was happening the world knew for sure that a page in the history of South Africa had been turned. His car passed the gates of the prison slowly making an end to a chapter and a new beginning in Mandela’s life.[br /]
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Mandela’s struggle for his people moved the international community like never before. In 1993, Nelson Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the people of South Africa.[br /]
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[b]Separation[/b][br /]
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After Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, his wife Winnie very well handled the ball in both the courts – domestic and external. Till February 1990, when Nelson Mandela was released she had paid the Maximum of the cost she could to keep the movement of Nelson Mandela’s going. Somehow the two did not get along for long after Mandela’s release.[br /]
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In 1991, Winnie was charged with involvement in 1988 for kidnapping of four youth activists and the murder of fifth. Mandela was by her side during the proceedings. In 1991, the final verdict came, Winnie was found guilty of kidnapping and an accessory to assault. She was sentenced for six years imprisonment but later it was suspended. The solution to Winnie’s trials came, but it could not help to bridge the relation between Winnie and Nelson.[br /]
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The speculations were on, and conflicts between the two were discerned by many. All of them turned out to be true when Nelson Mandela gave a press conference in Johannesburg on April 13, 1992, "I part from my wife with no recriminations. I embrace her with all the love and affection I have nursed for her inside and outside of prison from the moment I first met her." The separation got its legal name ‘divorce’ in 1996.[br /]
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[b]First Black President[/b][br /]
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After Mandela’s release, the first South African’s democratic elections were held in 1994. There were 19 political parties contesting the elections. The country casted their first independent votes. Mandela also casted his first ballot of his lifetime on April 27 at the Ohlange high school in the black township of Inanda, outside Durban. Mandela had chosen Kwazulu polling station because of its controversies. De Klerk had declared a state of emergency in Kwazulu and surrounding Natal province to ensure that free and fair voting takes place. All went well and the results were announced on May 6.[br /]
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On May 6th The African National Congress (ANC) swept to power.[br /]
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It seemed that sun had bestowed all its light on South Africa on May 10, 1994, with ANC coming in power. Those rays blossomed the newborn liberty of South Africa and was taken in care by 75 years old Nelson Mandela. He was inaugurated at the Union Buildings amphitheater in Pretoria. More than 45 head of state and many more dignitaries from over 130 countries witnessed the presidential swearing-in ceremony at the ever-largest gathering in Africa. Some 50,000 others crowded into the open park to watch the historic event that marked the end of more than three centuries of white minority rule. The black and white South Africans then started their walk hands- in- hand, singing the country’s two national anthems, the Afrikaner anthem Die Stem (‘The Call’) and the antiapartheid anthem ‘Nkosi Sikelele iAfrika’ (‘God Bless Africa’). Amidst 21-gun salute military jets roared overhead and six jets trailed smoke in the six colors of the new South African flag in a tribute to the nation’s new president and commander in chief.[br /]
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[b]Mandiba Magic[/b][br /]
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Madiba is Mandela’s traditional clan nickname. It was Mandela’s magic that has provided with basic facility trade and commerce to a country, which was on the edge of civil war.[br /]
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Everyday, more than 5 million pupils at nearly 13,000 schools are receiving peanut butter sandwich for lunch – a free meal that provides 25 % of their nutritional needs. The children call them lovingly Mandela Sandwich. Mandela Sandwich has not added to the GDP or GNP but it definitely has planted the seeds, which will bear innumerable fruits. Electricity has been brought to 3,70,000 homes. Health care is now free for all pregnant women and for children under six.[br /]
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After the ANC took over the, GDP grew 2.3 %, inflation came down below 10 %. These were sizable achievements.[br /]
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His work and achievements have made him stand on the political and racial platforms as an accomplished leader, an elder statesman of intellect, sincerity and immense moral stature.[br /]
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Upbringing of the country, from in its infancy with vast indifferences on all fronts for a term of five years would have taken away the energies of the man approaching 80’s, but Nelson Mandela bridged the wild waters so carefully and smoothly that the traffic never halted nor got disturbed. The best quality of this wonderful character that peeped out was his ability to reach out and touch the loves of ordinary people and at time also transforms them. In April 1998, an incident took place, which revealed that he could do whatsoever possible to keep peace. A white farmer had shot and killed a black child, Angeline Zwane, traversing his property. Though he claimed it was an accident, racial tensions in the area grew. To avoid the incident turn into riots, Mandela made a personal visit to the family of the dead child to offer them comfort and support. The incident was hat and press was also looking into the matter but on the same day Mandela fulfilled a child’s last wish without the attendant public fanfare. A 12-year-old white African child, Michelle Smit, was suffering from leukemia and it had come to the ears of the president that it was her dream to meet him. He took a helicopter to her home to grant her dying wish.[br /]
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After successfully carrying out his duties for five years he had lifted the infant South Africa to a level where it could mingle and race along with the world. He was also asked to carry the second term but he gracefully denied and welcomed the new President to take over. At a breakfast to bid farewell to the media, he expressed his desire to retire and spend at least some of his time, in his home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.[br /]
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On June 16, 1999, at a farewell banquet hosted in his honor by President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela added his desire to be at Nation’s service whenever required. He said, "It is no easy thing to rest while millions still bare the burden of poverty and insecurity. But my days will be filled with contentment to the extent that hands are joined across social divides and national boundaries, between continents and over oceans, to give effect to that common humanity in whose name we have together made the long walk to where we are today."[br /]
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The tall man stood high and his work did not suffer a bit. The man of ‘peace’ continued with his task as diligently as he did in past. During one such social activity Mandela met Graca Machel, wife of late Mazambique President Renamo. Their mutual suffering and long and discreet courtship brought them closer. Though neither of them made any comment about the developments in the relation till the Press released stories full of their romance. The two finally tied the knot on July 18, 1998 the 80th birthday of Nelson Mandela brought a beautiful companion in his life. "She is my life", Mandela once said and he does not even fear making his emotions public. He could be said romantic when he breaks the traditional customs of South Africa and holds the hand of Graca in public while waking with her.[br /]
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And even after stepping down he extended his hands across the boundaries.[br /]
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Mandela is a synonym of peace and he proved it again that by acting as a mediator in Burundi. Hutu populations, who form 65 percent of Burundi, were waging a war against the government. Mandela with Burundi’s Parliament made a plan as per which Burundi’s President Pierre Buyoya – a Tulsi – will hold office for 18 months and then hand over to his deputy, Domitien Ndayizeye - a Hutu – for another 18 months of the three-year transitional government. For the first time, after Mandela’s plan the armed rebel came to table. ‘Credit for any breakthrough that has been made goes to Nyerere’ said Mandela. The late Julius Nyerere, former Tanzania president, was the first mediator of Burundi peace talks. Mandela took over following Nyerere’s death in 1999.[br /]
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Nelson Mandela, now scoring 83, has come out standing tall against all the odds of life. He has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that has brought worries to all his well wishers around the world. But the statement, Mandela foundation announced that, "It should not pose a threat to his life" has cheered the world as he is the man whom people still need to walk along for miles in the journey to peace.[br /]
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