In May 2010, I was visiting South Africa to launch the Student version of
my book – MKG – Peace Truth Ahimsa - A photo biography of Mahatma Gandhi. The
book release was a part of marking the centenary of the Tolstoy Farm setup by
Gandhiji near Johannesburg.
I took the opportunity to gift one of my limited editions to Mr Nelson Mandela,
as I knew he was an ardent admirer of Gandhi. I corresponded with the Nelson
Mandela foundation for an appointment. After a series of exchanges they
informed me that it would not be possible to meet Mr Mandela, however the officials
of the foundation would accept it in his behalf.
On that fateful day 26th of May 2010 I reached the Nelson Mandela
Foundation office in Houghton at 2.45pm for my meeting at 3 pm and was directed
to the reception seating area. At 2.55pm
there was sudden excitement in the lobby and I could see officials quickly
moving around.
Mr Verne S Harris
came up to me and apologized that I would need to wait for another 30 minutes
as something urgent has come up. Then
there was absolute silence …. I knew something special was happening. 20 minutes later everything was back to normal
and Mr Harris came up to take me for my meeting with him and Mr Sello Hatang.
They both informed me that Mr Mandela had come into the office to sign a special
message hence my meeting had to be delayed by a few minutes. He was seated in the
room next to the reception separated only by a concrete wall.