Madiba meeting we will cherish forever
DECEMBER 5marks the end of an era. The man who fought so hard and gave up his freedom and family for something far bigger than himself — the liberation of South Africa — has finally gone “home”.
I was awoken very early on Friday morning by my niece. I stayed glued to SABC3 for most of the day.
Memories came flooding back after seeing the clip, produced by Ayanda Mhlongo and Clive Read, that ended with pictures of our family meeting Madiba just before the opening of my father GR Naidoo’s exhibition in September 2009.
I reflected on that time and remembered how Verne Harris released information about our meeting only about two weeks before the Nelson Mandela Foundation flew us to Joburg.
I was responsible for coordinating the exhibition of my dad’s photographs and writings. It was i nitiated several months before the heritage month celebration after Zindzi Mandela, Fatima Meer, Claude Colart and Anna Trapido had descended on our home to shoot a scene for the latter’s Hunger for Freedom . Mom re-enacted the food preparation for the Mandela meeting in 1962 when he returned home after his training.
Getting back to when Verne told me about our family meeting with Madiba . . . I told no one, switched off my computer, raced out of my flat to the nearest cake shop, bought a delicious chocolate cake and flew home in my Toyota. I laid the table, made the tea and then called mom and sister Jaya to share the news with them. I could not restrain my excitement and became impatient because they dragged their heels. The family was so excited.
On the day of the exhibition, my family and I entered Madiba’s study. He sat in his chair and smiled and welcomed us. I think all of us were pretty tongue-tied. What do you say to someone who made such a huge impact on each of our lives?
Some years before that, Madiba received an honorary doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Both my sisters were graduating with their master’s degrees on the same day.
Mom and I went along to witness the event and during the interval I sneaked out to see Madiba. I had to push myself past the bodyguards and tried to tell Madiba that I was GR’s daughter. He said, ‘Oh . . . my GR,” and hugged me. Then, as he moved back into the hall and we stood aside for him to pass, he held out his hand and shook mine. I was awestruck and vowed never to wash it.
Many South Africans have had their own wonderful moments. It is our responsibility to take forward his legacy of fostering peace.
Chandra Naidu is the daughter of journalist GR Naidoo