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When speaking of the extensive travelling he
has undertaken since his release from prison,
Nelson Mandela says: I was helped when preparing
for my release by the biography of Pandit Nehru,
who wrote of what happens when you leave jail.
My daughter Zinzi says that she grew up without
a father, who, when he returned, became a father
of the nation.
This has placed a great responsibility of my
shoulders. And wherever I travel, I immediately
begin to miss the familiar - the mine dumps,
the colour and smell that is uniquely South
African, and, above all, the people. I do not
like to be away for any length of time. For
me, there is no place like home.
Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize as an
accolade to all people who have worked for peace
and stood against racism. It was as much an
award to his person as it was to the ANC and
all South Africa s people. In particular, he
regards it as a tribute to the people of Norway
who stood against apartheid while many in the
world were silent.
We know it was Norway that provided resources
for farming; thereby enabling us to grow food;
resources for education and vocational training
and the provision of accommodation over the
years in exile. The reward for all this sacrifice
will be the attainment of freedom and democracy
in South Africa, in an open society which respects
the rights of all individuals. That goal is
now in sight, and we have to thank the people
and governments of Norway and Sweden for the
tremendous role they played.
Personal Tastes
Breakfast of plain porridge, with fresh fruit
and fresh milk.
A favourite is the traditionally prepared meat
of a freshly slaughtered sheep, and the delicacy
Amarhewu (fermented corn-meal).
Biographical Details
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a village
near Umtata in the Transkei on the 18 July 1918.
His father was the principal councillor to the
Acting Paramount Chief of Thembuland. After
his father s death, the young Rolihlahla became
the Paramount Chief s ward to be groomed to
assume high office. However, influenced by the
cases that came before the Chief s court, he
determined to become a lawyer. Hearing the elders
stories of his ancestors valour during the wars
of resistance in defence of their fatherland,
he dreamed also of making his own contribution
to the freedom struggle of his people.
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