Ex-Miss SA’s beautiful memory
FORMER Miss South Africa Kerishnie Naiker regarded Nelson Mandela as a father, visionary and impeccable statesman .
Together they built 12 hospital and clinics in rural South Africa.
“I first met Madiba in August 1997. He called me the day after I was crowned Miss South Africa and suggested that we meet for breakfast,” Naiker said.
“In that week we met and it felt surreal to be sitting opposite a global icon, yet it felt like I was chatting to my dad.
“That day we got caught up in conversation and we both had to be in Durban. He told me not to rush to the airport, but rather accom- pany him on his private plane to Durban.
“I was in awe. I started the day with breakfast with Nelson Mandela and ended up flying down to Durban with him on his private plane,” Naiker said.
On March 24 2000, when 13 children died in Throb nightclub in Chatsworth, she broke the news to Mandela, who was in London at the time.
“I told him what had happened and he asked me to arrange a meeting with the parents of the children who died.
“On his return, he addressed them in a hall in Chatsworth and said he would contribute to their children’s funerals.
“He later asked me why something like this could have happened.
“I spoke to principals in the area and we established there was lack of recreational facilities in Chatsworth.
“With the help of businesses the R15-million Chatsworth Youth Centre was built.
“This was a project close to Madiba’s heart and he attended the sod-turning ceremony.
“Madiba made a huge impact on my life.
“The more time I spent with him, the more I realised that I wanted to be a citizen of the world.
“He was an impeccable statesman and I don’t know if we will ever see a statesman of his stature again.
“He had a great sense of humour and even greater appreciation for attractive women.
Naiker added that people often talk of “Madiba Magic” — this she said was his uniqueness, selflessness, passion, respect and tolerance — and, more importantly, his forgiving nature.