Urban Art Association

Oh no. Has this just happened now?

RIP Nelson.

From the bbc:

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world's most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

27 years. Hard to take that in

Love this portrait of Nelson Mandela by James O'Jenkins….

Terrible news, still brings a tear to my eye whenever they show the footage of his long walk to freedom, a moment in history never forgotten.

A truly remarkable man.

this may sound glib, in light of all the incredible things he went through and did, but the thing that always pops into my head when I think of him is when he was asked what the greatest moment of his life was he replied "meeting the spice girls". always gives me a little chuckle.

Madiba
Always present, never forgotten.

I met Nelson Mandela on a beach near Durban in '94, 6 weeks before the General election, which obviously he won. The average white, fearful of the impending bloodbath, prepared for the worst, stocking up on tinned foods, gas etc.As a Brit living in SA at the time, I received mail from the British Embassy explaining how a fleet of 747's were on standby to evacuate us if/when the sh*t hit the fan. My wife, a Swiss national received the same, so this potential carnage against whites was very real indeed. Therefore Mandela was seen as a threat to the white status quo at the time, and was seen as a terrorist . As a result of this, noone wanted to approach him as he took a midday stroll along Umhlanga beachfront. I couldn't believe my luck, shot down to the beach, approached and asked for a photo. He smiled and gestured me to approach thru his bodyguards. No digi cameras back then of course. As I was alone I vividly remember asking an elderly lady walking her dog along the waters edge to assist by taking a photo. Naturally, he wasn't going to pose for a series of shots, so we stood side by side and smiled...'cept this wasn't the photo I wanted...just before she took the only photo, I turned to Madiba and smiling, put my right hand out. Presumably realising I was after a Stateman-like pic he smiled and reached out just before she took the photo.
I also wanted his autograph,not knowing how the photo would look until it was developed,but didn't have a paper or pen. I found a scrumpled up R10 note in my top pocket(thankfully...a cigarette packet was all I had and hadn't heard of Ben Frost at that point...). When I produced it for him to sign, he explained, in that accent of his, that it was illegal to deface legal tender. I told him that it was all I had and said "please" so he shrugged, we laughed and he signed and, very wisely in retrospect, dated it.
We spoke afterwards for about 5 minutes, he asking me where I was from( a Bolton accent stands out in SA)etc and that was that.

Nelson Mandela was, without any question, the most impressive person I have had the pleasure of meeting. It was an honour, in the literal sense.


David Flores

What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks guys.

A former good friend of mine called Clarence Keyter is that strong afrikaans accent you hear narrating as Mandela takes his famous Walk to Freedom with Winnie after his release from pollsmoor prison. If I'm not mistaken, the SABC had the world exclusive rights to this ginormous broadcast with worldwide interest, and the SABC wanted to use their top man.Clarence was chosen and at short notice was flown down to Cape Town with nothing more than a brief to "talk".
Although none of you will recall, Mandela, due to whatever reason, delayed taking "the walk". until he was told, incorrectly, that CK was waiting outside....this is mentioned in his book. Anyway, CK was summoned to Mandela's residence in Houghton a few months later because Mandela wanted to ask him about THAT day he was released. Clarence went along( he's a journo) and ended spending the afternoon with him, chatting and clarifying. Coincidentally, Clarences wife, Francis, was the head hostess at South African Airways and was therefore always flying with Mandela as he travelled Europe and the US post elections. Mandela became friendly with her as a result, as well. One day she was invited to Mandela's house for a Valentines Day brekkie.When she and CK arrived and entered M's home, they realised this was a breakfast for only 3 and not the normal big crowd of hundreds one would expect. The three of them sat chatting until the house maids entered carrying the meals. The Keyters were presented with a lavish mixed grill breakfast served on an enormous plate.
Mandela had a small bowl of porridge. Nothing else. I will never forget how we laughed as Francis told me she said"Please Madiba...can I taste your porridge( or pap as it is called..) ? Mandela obliged by offering her a sample on HIS spoon. She said it felt wrong for the two whites to be eating a big slap up breakfast whilst the black guys' eating porridge and it tasted sooo good that she asked meekly if she could trade her plate for a bowl of pap. Clarence the same.He winked, summoned the maid to the table and placed another two orders for the porridge.

Mandela, two afrikaaners and three bowls of porridge for a VIP Valentines Breakfast.
Who would have thunk?

Yeah, thanks for sharing, great to hear personal stories

Sad day.