My day with – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
The week of February 7th 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from Robben Island, South Africa where he was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in prison. Mandela and 150 members of the ANC, African National Congress were arrested December 5th, 1965 and were charged with treason against the state of South Africa. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction’s sentence, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa.
Sometimes one has the chance to photograph an event that puts oneself in the middle of an historic occasion and it shapes the way one thinks about life. For a long period of time in my formative years of life I attempted to follow African events especially South African events from the perspective of a African American.
On a chilly evening in 1998 I had the opportunity to be in the enviable position of being the primary photographer at two events. One event took place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC and the other event took place at the National Building Museum also in Washington DC.
Earlier that day Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, leader of the African National Council and anti-apartheid activist, addressed the United Nations. After his address at the UN he came to Washington DC and spoke to a group at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Prior to him addressing a group at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, he was greeted by the General Manager of the hotel. Mr. Mandela arrived in the underground garage and the General Manager shook his hand and both of them turned and posed for a photo with very high security. I photographed him as he addressed the organization.
About 5 hours later that evening my assistant and I entered the National Building Museum where we met Nelson Mandela and his contingent. We met in a VIP area where Nelson Mandela met with a select group of approximately 30 people including Sprint executives. We photographed him with everybody in the room. Nelson Mandela then walked over to us and introduced himself by saying “hello my name is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, thank you for taking the photos today.” He shook our hands and asked us our names. Two minutes later I looked over to my assistant and he had tears running down his face and I asked him what was up he said to me “I just met Nelson Mandela” and then he asked me what were the tears in my eyes?
Our contact for the Mandela contingent then told me that FW de Klerk and PW Botha were both in the building and Mr. Mandela was not going to meet with them ……………. As we walked down the steps heading to the main area of the National Building Museum and walking towards the center of the main floor I heard a commotion to the right and observed both FW de Klerk and PW Botha about 30 feet away. Nelson Mandela took the initiative to go over and shake the hands of both gentlemen which was very stunning for me. (With the sight of both FW de Klerk and PW Botha together I had a flash back of Steve Biko) I felt intense anger when I saw FW de Klerk and PW Botha but at the same time I saw the peace in the eyes of Nelson Mandela who served 27 years in prison and realized that I hadn’t served a day.
That day there was something really important that I learned after watching Nelson Mandela – after 27 years in jail there was too much on the table for him to be resentful so he did what was most important for his entire country.
