FOR ONCE, I can kick myself for being on the wrong side of the camera.
Nelson Mandela, Chris Hani and several other ANC and Communist Party struggle heroes were on a visit to Ladysmith shortly before the first fully democratic elections in 1994.
The now iconic delegation gathered on the steps of the Ladysmith Town Hall to pose for photographs with local leaders. I happened to be a Ladysmith Town Councillor at the time and was invited to pose with them.
However, I was also the editor of the local newspaper, the Ladysmith Gazette, and I opted to take the photograph instead.
Fortunately, I had the privilege of meeting the great man on several occasions after that and those memories still give me goosebumps.
It is difficult to explain, but there was truly an aura about the man which many who met him have also alluded to.
Even if one did not have the opportunity to feel that aura or just brush shoulders with him, we should all be proud that the legendary Nelson Mandela lived in ‘our’ country and his amazing life story happened during ‘our’ time.
Somehow, he inspired me to make an even greater effort to understand and appreciate my fellow man … regardless of religion, culture, politics, colour, sex or status.
I am now even more inspired after his death and, hopefully, I am not alone.
