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Fin24 user Lusanda Analissa Mona-Lisa Myira shares her memory of meeting and greeting the late Nelson Mandela in Grahamstown in 1996. She writes:
I sang, met and shook hands with Tata Madiba in 1996 at the rededication ceremony of the Settlers monument in Grahamstown.
I was part of the Victoria Girls' High school choir and we had all converged on that day with schools from around the area to provide some musical entertainment.
He spoke about a host of issues, including the importance of education. Although we were all excited to see him in the flesh and also knowing that we might be allowed to shake his hand, we sat and listened very intently.
The previous night, we had all spoken about this very moment in our respective dorms and couldn't wait to at least shake his hand.
The much anticipated time came and some held back, a couple of us went forward to greet him.
His security guards didn't want us anywhere near him but we couldn't just let him pass us by. I mean, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - a hero we had heard of countless times while growing up!
He soon realized what was happening and asked the guards to let us be.
That's when I stuck my hand out and felt the softest hands hold mine. I will never forget that day and will hold the memory deep in my heart.
May his beautiful and forgiving soul rest in eternal peace.
Thank you Fin24 for giving us all this wonderful opportunity.
Lusanda Analissa Mona-Lisa Myira
- Fin24
*Share your memories of Nelson Mandela with Fin24 users.
I sang, met and shook hands with Tata Madiba in 1996 at the rededication ceremony of the Settlers monument in Grahamstown.
I was part of the Victoria Girls' High school choir and we had all converged on that day with schools from around the area to provide some musical entertainment.
He spoke about a host of issues, including the importance of education. Although we were all excited to see him in the flesh and also knowing that we might be allowed to shake his hand, we sat and listened very intently.
The previous night, we had all spoken about this very moment in our respective dorms and couldn't wait to at least shake his hand.
The much anticipated time came and some held back, a couple of us went forward to greet him.
His security guards didn't want us anywhere near him but we couldn't just let him pass us by. I mean, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - a hero we had heard of countless times while growing up!
He soon realized what was happening and asked the guards to let us be.
That's when I stuck my hand out and felt the softest hands hold mine. I will never forget that day and will hold the memory deep in my heart.
May his beautiful and forgiving soul rest in eternal peace.
Thank you Fin24 for giving us all this wonderful opportunity.
Lusanda Analissa Mona-Lisa Myira
- Fin24
*Share your memories of Nelson Mandela with Fin24 users.
