Opinion The Mandelas I knew

Far from being tired,Mandela arrived promptly,looking fresh and relaxed,accompanied by his gracious and lovely wife,Graca Machel. It was a perfect Highveld morning,and they chose to sit on the veranda to enjoy the mild sunshine. Since I was the first family member to arrive,I served the tea and listened to Walter praise his friend for the success of his presidency.

I sent up a silent prayer of appreciation for the privilege of witnessing this extraordinary moment — Nelson Mandela,global icon and colossus of 20th century history,who had inspired millions around the world,basking in the praise of his life-long mentor. I had never seen Mandela look so happy and laid back,and I marvelled at a phenomenon so rare in Africa: a leader willingly giving up power after just one term,his popularity undiminished.

Walter echoed my thoughts when he said: “It has been wonderful,Diba,just wonderful,and leaving at this time. It is absolutely the correct thing to do.” I was amused by Graca’s response: “I just wish some of your counterparts could follow his example.”

It was one of the greatest blessings of my life to write the biography of Walter and Albertina Sisulu. In the process of my research,I interviewed some of South Africa’s greatest leaders and had the opportunity to personally interact with Mandela. In one of our interviews,we discussed his decision to enter into talks with the Apartheid government. I asked if he was not concerned that his constituency would consider him a sellout,given the resistance to any engagement with the enemy. He said that he was not concerned,because even if people were uneasy about the process,they would continue to trust him due to his track record and reputation.

Mandela was keen for Walter’s history to be recorded,and his encouragement was an enormous boost. He agreed to read sections of the manuscript — which I had to print in 16-point font,because his eyesight had been damaged by years of working in the glare of the lime quarry on Robben Island. I delivered the bulky documents to his office and was surprised to get a call a week later to collect them. I was taken aback by his detailed comments,some corrections of historical fact,questions for clarity and grammar and spelling corrections. I was amused that he had changed some sentences written in active voice to passive voice,changing the tone of the paragraphs to a legal and more stilted one. This part of his editing I disregarded.

When I saw Mandela a few months later,he demanded to know where the rest of the manuscript was. I apologised for my slowness of writing and thanked him for his detailed edit. I suggested that if he was ever out of a job,he could become an editor. When the manuscript was finally complete,he unhesitatingly wrote the foreword and spoke at the book launch. His support was testimony to his love and devotion to his friend,Walter. I will never forget the constant presence of Madiba,Graca and the entire Mandela family during Walter’s final illness,the message that Graca read during Albertina’s funeral in 2011,and on the tragic loss of our beloved brother,Zwelakhe.

Today,alongside memories of the serious and sometimes forbidding Mandela who made momentous,historic decisions,I savour memories of the humorous Mandela who could laugh at himself. I remember how he enjoyed it when he was not recognised,or when a child was disappointed at seeing him: “Oh,you are Mandela. But you are so old and ugly!” I remember the Mandela who loved to matchmake and who,when introduced to a couple,would ask,“Who proposed to whom?” I remember the father and grandfather who adored his family,though he could not always articulate his feelings. So many memories,and I am floating on nostalgia and the tears I promised myself not to shed pour down my face as I listen to the tributes. Among the many tributes I heard,I was struck by a statement from a young man: “I see this morning as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to carry on this legacy in everything that we do and I will continue to work for my country and my community in whatever way I can.” I think Mandela would have approved.

Sisulu,a writer,human rights activist and political analyst,is the author of ‘Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime’

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