The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

ONE thing Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said he likes about South African politician Nelson Mandela, is that Mr Mandela knew when it was “time to go” and did not “overstay his time on the public stage”.

Mr Mitchell was speaking yesterday to students at Xavier’s Lower School as part of the school’s celebrations for the 94th birthday of Mr Mandela, who served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 after being the key figure of the anti-apartheid movement for more than three decades.

The minister highlighted key points of Mr Mandela’s life to the young students and recollected when he met Mr Mandela personally while on a visit to South Africa.

“I met Nelson Mandela in 1993 when I represented the Bahamas as a commonwealth observer,” Mr Mitchell said. “I spent six weeks in Johannesburg and spent many days working with him.

“He is a great man, he did well for his country and his people. He was in prison for 27 years and yet when he came out of prison, he forgave his captors and then went on to become the president of South Africa. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

He also added: “What I like most about Nelson Mandela as a politician, is that he knew when it was time to go. Lesson number one is: do not overstay your time on the public stage. When it is time to go, say farewell and leave the stage.”

Speaking to the press, Mr Mitchell again declared Mr Mandela a “great hero” and a figure that he holds in admiration.

“It’s incredible to me in a sense that I remember very clearly when he was released from prison,” he said. “I remember all the times of the marching in the streets here in New Providence, being part of the anti-apartheid movement to get his release – so I’m glad he’s been able to live a long and fruitful life.”

Mr Mitchell also took time to explain why it is important not only for South Africans, but also Bahamians, to observe Mr Mandela’s birthday – which the United Nations has dubbed “Nelson Mandela Day”.

“He is an icon, someone who is respected and revered, an African leader. Our people are mainly of African descent and there’s so many negative things being said about people of African descent, people who are from Africa, and so it’s good when you have someone who is an outstanding citizen who has dedicated his life to people,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Most of all as a public figure, he knew when it was time to leave the stage and be gone. When you’ve made your contribution, you’ve done all you can, you say farewell and you sit in the background and watch things develop.”