Winkle resident recalls meeting Madiba

“I was in my final year of high school, and I was working part time for a catering company at the Newlands cricket grounds. I would take food platters to the presidential suites and help clean the tables in the presidential lounge during the tea and lunch breaks.

On that special day, the manager informed me that I was going to help take lunch to the president's suite. I was super excited, I'll never forget that day. We were instructed to keep our uniforms spotless.When the time come to cart the food to the suite, we had to line-up outside so the food could be checked and a full search conducted on those carrying the food. Once inside the suite we were directed to place the food on a table laid out with the finest cutlery I had ever seen.

Three of us delivered the food, and once we had finished, one of the bodyguards instructed us to stand in a line. Nelson Mandela took the time to thank us and shake our hands as we introduced ourselves. I was amazed at how tall Madiba was, as I always pictured him as someone who was short. His friendliness was astonishing, as he did not have to take the time to thank the catering staff for delivering the food, yet he did. This was the one and only time I have ever seen the president of South Africa.

I know it was a short, brief and formal encounter with one of the most famous people in history, but I am very glad to have had the opportunity to shake his hand.

I would like to take this opportunity to say God Bless Madiba and may he rest in peace now.”