Founder’s Office
Few politicians could have been as resolutely determined in planning their exit from politics as Mr Nelson Mandela. It is known that even in 1994, at the time of South Africa’s first democratic elections, he felt that it was not proper not be a president at the age of 76. He had to be persuaded to stand and was, from the start, very definite about serving only one term. Midway through his term he carefully started paving the way for his heir-apparent to take over, and for himself to step down.
Mr Nelson R Mandela, the Founder, viewing an exhibition at Mandela House
But with characteristic unselfishness, he neglected to apply the same resolution to planning a post-retirement dispensation for himself.
I cannot help repeatedly recounting this anecdote. He left for a two-week holiday in Libreville the day after the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki.
The morning after his return from that vacation, the former president called me at home as was his custom, asking me to attend to some arrangements for him. I could not find the heart to tell him that actually I no longer worked for him, and that we did not have a fully staffed office or the infrastructure to serve him as before. It was, however, already clear that the public demands on him were not going to decrease significantly.
It was then that we expedited the establishment of the Foundation, a plan we had had in mind for some time.
The retired president was not going to be a gentleman of leisure, lazing in the sun in his village, Qunu, far from the madding crowds.
Letters, faxes, messages and other forms of communication kept streaming in. Invitations to speak, requests for meetings, attempts to get him to intervene in a variety of situations in the country and all over the world just kept on coming as if he was still in office. At the same time he was continuing with the programme of building and upgrading schools and clinics. It was a project he had begun after his release from prison and kept up throughout his presidency.
Nelson Mandela, the conciliator, nation-builder, peacemaker, leader of social development, passionate champion of the poor and marginalised, and world icon was not going to be allowed to step out of those roles soon, even it he wishes to.
Ms Zelda la Grange – Spokesperson & Personal Assistant to Mr NR Mandela
Hence the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. We had to hurriedly find some office accommodation, equipment and temporary staff just to keep operations going and to provide some infrastructure to service the world’s best known and most revered public figure.
Nelson Mandela is a living icon. The Foundation is the vehicle that allows him to continue living out those ideals and values that make him such an icon. It aims to remain as the bearer of that legacy that has so greatly enriched all of us, not only in South Africa, but throughout the world.
– Professor GJ Gerwel
Chairperson
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May 2008 – the year in which Madiba will turn 90 – bring increased peace and respect for human rights and dignity the world over.
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