Luthuli would have been proud

Chief Albert John Luthuli would have been proud of the man Nelson Mandela became.
This is according to the chief’s eldest daughter, Dr Albertina Luthuli, who likened Mandela to a “fine brandy or whisky,” because he “matured so beautifully”.
In an interview with the Courier, Albertina said her father shared a close relationship with South Africa’s first black president.
“My siblings and I knew him as Baba Mandela. Whenever he would visit with other ANC leaders like Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu, my mother would call us to bake for them. My father always said Baba Mandela had strong ideas and would be a great leader.”
During his time as ANC president, Luthuli worked closely with Mandela.
“Baba Mandela displayed the character of the ANC from his youth. He was energetic and had burning youthful impatience, he wanted change right away. He had an inquiring mind and would often seek advice from my father. But he was always caring, warm and gentle. A true gentleman.”
Albertina described her father as a calming influence on the younger leader.
“My father and the other ANC elders appreciated the energy Mandela was injecting into the organisation and they were always there to listen. The elders sheltered the youth and tempered their enthusiasm. This was a wonderful combination.”
After her father’s death Albertina kept in regular contact with Mandela, who she says took Nokukhanya Luthuli, Chief Luthuli’s widow, as his own mother.
“When my mother died in 1997 he played a huge role in arranging her funeral. He celebrated the wedding of my youngest daughter Lindie, as our father. I took my grandsons to visit him in Houghton when he became ill and we were warmly welcomed.”
Albertina said education and poverty eradication were close to Madiba’s heart.
“Above all, Baba Mandela wanted his people to be equal. Education has the power to do that and close the gap between our people. When you are not educated, you feel inferior and this is what Baba Mandela and my father did not want for South Africa.”
Albertina believes the foundation for Mandela’s vision of an “exemplary democracy” is already there – all South Africa must do is take it and move forward.
“We now need leaders who will lead us. The time for talking is over – we must now see action. It is a difficult task but Mandela laid a strong foundation. We must just set about implementing it.”