J.A.M.

It was 5.30 on a cold morning in December 2004. I was heading off to Qunu in the Transkei to conduct an Interview for Link FM with former South African President Nelson Mandela and American Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey. The interview was to take place in his lounge in his home at Qunu. It had been arranged by the Mother of one of the presenters at Link FM who was well connected in political circles. I was rather excited about it. In secular terms they were arguably the most ‘powerful’ man and woman in the world at the time and I was looking forward to sitting down with them and finding out why they do what they do.

When we arrived security was understandably very tight and I really felt as though I was being smuggled through the gates in the back seat of the car. It was Nelson Mandela’s annual Christmas Party for the children of the area and Oprah was staying with him at the time to help with the distribution of the gifts. Around 5000 children were expected to flock to the surrounding areas to receive their gifts. I was armed with a camera, mini disc recorder and gifts for both of them. We had decided to give them each 2 drinking glasses with the Stations logo emblazoned on them along with a Journal. The interview was set for 11 am.

Sometime during the morning it was evident that things were getting out of hand as far as crowd control went as far more people were turning up than expected. At one point Oprah Winfrey, visibly trouble by the growing crowds, stepped out right in front of me, Steadman at her side, on the lawn of Madiba’s front garden. I walked up to her and said hello and asked if I could have a photograph. She ignored me. I (rather cheekily) told her it was only manners to ask and once again enquired. Once again she ignored me as though I wasn’t there – so I took the photo of her (and Steadman) anyway – not the most flattering photo I have seen of her.

The news was soon brought to me by one of the security officials that in light of the crowds which had now grown to about 15 000, the interview was cancelled. I was understandably very upset and decided that I would give them the gifts in any case. I went around the back to the security entrance and gave the parcels to the security officials at the gate. A few minutes later, Oprah’s gift was returned to me with the message that “Miss Winfrey does not accept gifts”. Now I can understand that she couldn’t possibly take everything back on the plane with her that people give her but surely it would only have been manners to accept it even if she gave it to someone else? Her arrogance when requesting the photo and the refusal of the gift resulted in me seeing her in a whole different light. As far as Madiba’s gift went though – it was accepted and a few weeks latter I received a letter from the Presidents Office thanking me naming the specific items in the gift. That was special.

It was a day I will remember for a long time. I took a photo of Madiba standing on his balcony along with his wife, Graca Machel. Sadly though the camera was not very good and he is ‘very small’ in the photo.

I did take a group photo though which includes my presenter friend (Thandy Kunene – kneeling in the middle) and her Mother (the tall woman in the right of the photo at the back – Faye Nqoloba).

Before returning home we assisted Madiba’s wife, Graca Machel and his Personal Assistant, Zelda Le Grange to hand out a few Christmas parcels to needy children in the area. Very special memories!

Happy 94th Madiba! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.