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Nelson Mandela's greatest pleasure, his most
private moment, is watching the sun set with
the music of Handel or Tchaikovsky playing.
Locked up in his cell during daylight hours,
deprived of music, both these simple pleasures
were denied him for decades. With his fellow
prisoners, concerts were organised when possible,
particularly at Christmas time, where they would
sing. Nelson Mandela finds music very uplifting,
and takes a keen interest not only in European
classical music but also in African choral music
and the many talents in South African music.
But one voice stands out above all - that of
Paul Robeson, whom he describes as our hero.
The years in jail reinforced habits that were
already entrenched: the disciplined eating regime
of an athlete began in the 1940s, as did the
early morning exercise. Still today Nelson Mandela
is up by 4.30am, irrespective of how late he
has worked the previous evening. By 5am he has
begun his exercise routine that lasts at least
an hour. Breakfast is by 6.30, when the days
newspapers are read. The days work has begun.
With a standard working day of at least 12
hours, time management is critical and Nelson
Mandela is extremely impatient with unpunctuality,
regarding it as insulting to those you are dealing
with.
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