Ferguson offers Jordaan mediation opportunity

Ndileka Mandela speaks of ordeal

Jennifer Ferguson extended an olive branch of sorts to Danny Jordaan yesterday – the chance to take part in a restorative justice process.

The offer came almost a week after the singer and former ANC MP’s explosive claim that Safa boss Jordaan raped her in late 1993.

“We have decided to formally offer Danny Jordaan an opportunity for a mediated restorative justice process that would be facilitated by [Methodist minister] Paul Verryn in consultation with experts in this field,” she wrote on her Facebook page yesterday morning.

Ferguson has said that the global #MeToo campaign – that encourages victims to disclose abuse – prompted her to speak out.

Encouraged in much the same way, former president Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela, wrote a heartbreaking candid account yesterday of her alleged rape at the hands of an ex-boyfriend in 2012.

Mandela wrote that the rape had taken place after a discussion over finances, saying she believed the rape was “a lesson for me to never question him again”. She said despite begging the man to stop, he “only stopped when I began sobbing uncontrollably”.

“I could not scream as I did not want my son to find me in that compromising position.

“Yes, I never reported [the alleged rape] for the same reason most women do not report what has been described as acquaintance rape. I will not be silent...”

Ferguson has said she had hoped that by speaking out she would find healing and forgiveness. The mediation process would form part of that healing. Verryn confirmed he had agreed to mediate but said he could only do so if both parties were willing.

Jordaan did not respond yesterday to a phone call or WhatsApp message.