Emotions run high over Tata Madiba

When SA National Defence Force surgeon-general Lieutenant-General Vejaynand Ramlakan announced on Friday that former state president Nelson Mandela was stable, the nation breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Uncertainty over the medical condition of the 92-year-old, who was admitted to Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, was lifted when Ramlakan said the former statesman had been discharged following treatment for respiratory complications.

The scare this week over Mandela's health condition left those who had interacted with him reminiscing over his influence and world impact.

Former Miss South Africa Kerishnie Naiker, who was close to the former president, said "Madiba blessed all South Africans and others with his generosity, compassion, love, kindness and wisdom".

"He called upon everyone to enact exactly these emotions at a difficult point.

"May we have the discretion to appropriately respect Tata and his family's privacy.

"While Tata remains the epitome of human values, may we emulate these values."

Naiker expressed her deepest respect and honour for the international icon.

Minority Front leader Amichand Rajbansi said he considered himself a friend of Mandela, as the iconic leader had shaped him.

He praised Madiba for his "human touch and humility".

Rajbansi said he first met Mandela in 1964 and thereafter Mandela always gave him "fatherly advice".

"One of the greatest things about him is his humility. When I went to Houghton one day to meet him for tea, my driver was sitting in the waiting room and Madiba walked up to him, shook hands with him and spoke to him.

"Here is a man who has the human touch. He is a man of reconciliation and he said to everyone, let us hold hands and build a great country."

Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi said: "I have been extremely inspired by his courage and his perseverance despite all the intimidation and the imprisonment and all that he suffered."

She said she fondly recalled visiting India with Madiba several years ago.

"To be in that delegation and visiting my grandfather's grave together with him, was an emotional experience that I will never forget.

"They are two people I was really inspired by - my grandfather and him."

Movie mogul Anant Singh is "fascinated by Madiba's journey and by his commitment to the people and our country".

"I began communicating with him while he was in prison because I felt his story was one that should be told to the world and right from the beginning, his modesty came through. He would say things like 'Who would be interested in watching a movie about my life?'"

Singh said after Mandela's release they developed a friendship.

Priscilla Naidoo, director of protocol in the presidency and media officer during his presidency, said Tata Madiba taught her to have enduring faith in humanity against all odds.

"I am inspired by his resolute commitment to a vibrant, multicultural, non-racial society in which people from all walks of life are treated with utmost respect for human dignity and freedom."

She said a highlight was when she chaired the president's press conference during then US President Bill Clinton's state visit to SA - "experiencing first-hand his grace and infinite dignity in the presence of high-level dignitaries, from Princess Diana to Pope John Paul.

"I travelled extensively locally and abroad with Mandela," she said.

Naidoo said a fond memory was spending Christmas and family occasions at Mandela's home in Qunu, and witnessing his traditional wedding to Graca Machel.