MAC MAHARAJ

Spent 12 years in prison with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island and served in his cabinet as minister of transport

I remember a state visit to the United Kingdom. At the hotel, Zelda [La Grange, Madiba’s personal assistant] advised us an outfitter would call to dress us in hired suits for the banquet where Madiba would host the queen. “Oh, no!” I objected. I wasn’t going to be turned into a penguin. A revolutionary kitted in a penguin suit! In deference to the queen, nogal!

“Orders of the president,” was Zelda’s unyielding retort.

The next evening every one of us waddled into the banquet hall looking like penguins lost in the Kalahari. And there was Madiba, in black pants and a loose black silk shirt. I guess he chuckled to himself all evening as he looked down from the main table at his discomforted penguins while he relaxed in his cool outfit.