Nelson Mandela: a Personal Memoir
Tim Holford Smith recalls a meeting with Nelson Mandela
A few years ago I was invited to the press night of a South African musical. An acquaintance behind me who was the London PR agent of Charlton Heston asked me what I was doing there. Riled by this I said it was at the personal invitation of Nelson Mandela. This was a total fabrication.
Mandela arrived in his characteristic floral shirt and danced down the aisle close to me. I outstretched my arm and said:
“Hi Nelson and you remember my friend R.”
” Of course”
I added my friend ‘s son had the same birthday as him
“And how is he?” He enquired.
My PR colleague was truly impressed.
I wonder if any other statesman would have done this. Not only was he the most forgiving of men, he was also one of the most accessible.
