Catherine Constantinides’s first meeting with Nelson Mandela
Catherine Constantinides chats to the CHRONICLE about her first meeting with Nelson Mandela and other memories.
CATHERINE Constantinides chats to the CHRONICLE about her first meeting with Nelson Mandela and other memories.
“As a little girl of five or six years old, I was always in awe of Nelson Mandela and grew up in a home where what was happening politically in our country and of the leaders, was very much a part of my home. I wrote letters to our president telling him all kinds of things, sharing stories and asking questions. Now when I’ve re-read some they are quite hilarious. I do believe there’s a book full of letters from children from all around the world, and I really hope a few of mine have been included!
“When I was probably in late primary/early high school I came home one day and in the letterbox was a letter with blue writing and a seal, from the desk of the Office of the President. I couldn’t believe it was for me from the president. This was the first of three or four letters I was to receive.
“I grew up and when I was 18 on my birthday I begged my mom and sister to take me to his house and we sat outside for hours. I begged the security to let us in, but of course they couldn’t.
“I didn’t know then but later on, before going to the Philippines to represent South Africa as Miss Earth, I was invited to a meeting at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but I didn’t know why. What an incredible surprise when I spent the afternoon in his office with him on his own, having tea and chatting, I’ll never forget it. He shared with me his wishes that he could have done more for children and had more of an impact on their lives. He then said very casually, ‘If you get the chance to meet Gloria (the then-president of the Philippines), tell her Nelson sends his greetings and regards.’ I don’t have a photo of our first meeting, but I carry him in my heart.”
When Catherine returned from the Philippines a year later, she was invited to the inaugural Nelson Mandela Lecture. And she’s been invited to every one since.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet Bill Clinton and other great statesmen, and I’ve been invited to many grand occasions throughout the years. Every time in Madiba’s space I had to try and step out of myself and just cherish the moment.”
“Early this July I was announced as one of the 100 young Mandela’s of the Future and I’ve grappled with this. There will never be another Mandela, Steve Biko, Ahmed Kathrada or Oliver Tambo, among others. This is a great honour and a humbling experience. We have a baton to carry and have to carry it forward in order to move our country forward, and that starts as grass-roots level.
“I’m so proud to be a South African, one who is nestled in the heart of the South of Joburg, where I was born, grew up and have lived all my life, in a community I’m proud of, and wherever in the world I go I carry the values of my home.
“To be able to be likened to a man of such greatness truly is a remarkable and baffling thing all at once.”
Read:
Constantinides makes Top 200 young South Africans
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