Madiba’s carpenter shares the magic

Lesego Maja

lesegomaja@caxton.co.za

If the nation’s president could trust him with his household for 16 years, imagine what he could teach.

Former President Nelson Mandela’s carpenter, Colin Fitzgerald, wants to impart 51 years of carpentry knowledge on South Africans.

Fitzgerald and his wife Clare have been part of the Madiba household for 16 years and became an intimate part of the big family.

“Meeting Mandela was my miracle. He is the most complete person I have ever met,” said the carpenter who is now based at his Sophiatown home, where he takes care of his wife.

Fitzgerald’s wife was diagnosed with Osteoporosis approximately seven years ago and hasn’t been able to walk for four years.

“I can’t leave Clare so I want to now try and pass on my knowledge and get people coming here to learn both basic and advanced carpentry,” he explained.

“I trained the maintenance guys and their supervisors at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and that is how I eventually ended up at the Mandela household,” Fitzgerald explained.

“Sixteen years ago, I was asked by the government to renovate the house and then [Mandela] asked me to carry on working for him personally.”

He designed and fitted Mandela’s presidential study and also undertook work at his residence. Fitzgerald feels his wife played an integral part in the work they produced at the Mandela household.

“I was working as a facilities manager at GBS Wang when Colin asked me to leave my job and join him at Mandela’s home, so I did,” his wife said, commenting on how their journey of their partnership began.

He hopes to pass on the Madiba magic to people who are willing to learn how to produce and refurbish their own furniture, which would also save them money in the long run.

Details: Colin Fitzgerald 082-735-4994 or 011-673-5488, colinfitz@mweb.co.za