Editor

Mandela month, July, comes to an end, and the former President lies in a hospital bed fighting for his frail life.

The prayers of the entire world are centred on his recovery and well being.

But can it be true justice that only during July humanity does a little in his memory to honour this outstanding mortal?

In the words of an American President, “Ask not what your country can do for you, rather what you can do for your country.”

Similarly “so much is owed by so many to so few”, penned by Winston Churchill. South Africa owes a huge debt to a few individuals, who with foresight implanted a footprint to stop South Africa from going up in flames.

Whether any person is an ANC supporter or not, the gratitude of benevolence encompasses all and sundry.

Therefore Estcourt has its own history with Mandela.

In the early ‘90s, Estcourt was racked by political violence.

Hundreds of people died in the violence, both ANC and IFP leaders were killed.

The streets were controlled by different groups.

Wembezi was burning, schooling had stopped and murder was the order of the day.

The hand of the third force was very evident in Estcourt and Mooi River.

A request was made for Mandela to visit these areas to see for himself the carnage of destruction and violence.

The request was honoured and the regional and provincial ANC leadership, briefed Mandela. A few of us were honoured with being in the company of and in awe of Mandela.

The visit, despite, being very nervous, and full of tension, went off without a hitch.

Thereafter, after the 1994 elections, Mandela made several visits to Estcourt in his capacity as the first President of a democratic South Africa. Some of his direct inputs were a waterworks plant for Wembezi, a clinic and high school for Draycott and repairs to damaged houses and schools in Wembezi.

It was a real privilege to have rubbed shoulders with this simple but great man.

T Jeebodh