Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela.
When Nelson Mandela paged through his personal copy of the ANC’s centenary book, he “very quickly” identified, by name, Struggle heroes such as Ruth First and others, said ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa.
Phosa, who travelled with the authors of the publication to Mandela’s home village of Qunu on Wednesday to hand him the book, said it was “frightening” how the 92-year-old former statesman remembered the names and faces of his fellow political activists. “I didn’t expect it,” said an excited Phosa.
Phosa said that when Mandela saw him he immediately recognised and warmly welcomed him. “He knew who I was… It reminded me of the old times, when I worked for Mandela,” recalled Phosa.
He said he spent about three hours at the Mandela family home with the former president and his wife, Graça Machel.
He said Madiba had been “very alert” during the visit.
Mandela could not attend the ANC’s centenary celebration in Bloemfontein earlier this month.
But on Wednesday he received his personal copy of the yet-to-be launched ANC centenary publication, Unity in Diversity: 100 Years of ANC leadership.
Last January, the country and the world held their breath when the ailing former prestatesmansident was admitted to hospital and released a collective sigh of relief when he was discharged soon after.
Mandela moved to Qunu in May.
Phosa said the publication sought to recognise the party’s “historic role in ensuring victory of human dignity over suppression by ensuring the downfall of the repressive apartheid system in SA”.
The book was meant to “remind us whence we come, and to spur us on as a nation to even greater heights”.
Phosa said the ANC’s achievements had been earned through the “sweat and blood of thousands of courageous, selfless and principled cadres, led by great leaders such as Mandela, who always put community before self”.
He said: “As we celebrate that victory, we must remember the sacrifices and as we embrace the era of hope brought about through that struggle, we must remind ourselves not to take for granted the freedom we enjoy today.”
The book will be launched officially in Cape Town on February 8. - Political Bureau