Today is the twentieth anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from a South African prison. Radio stations here in the UK (and, I expect) across the world have broadcast interviews with people recalling where they were when they saw those long-lens pictures of our first sight of a man who had been locked up for almost thirty years - a man who was soon to become the most respected man on the planet.
Listening to the stories, I realised I had forgotten that at the time, many in South Africa were terrified that his release would unleash a terrible revenge and payback by black South Africans.
They expected riots, reprisals and even deaths as black South Africa took revenge for years of repression under the apartheid regime. The fact that the country turned to majority rule and then reconciliation was due almost wholly to the integrity and humanity of the man whose release we re-celebrate today
Where were you on that day? We had gathered with friends to watch on TV and have lunch. As the release became more and more delayed, lunchtime went back, and back - and eventually became dinner. But at last the TV cameras picked up the image of a man - much older and weaker than we had expected - and the celebrations, across the world, could begin.
There are still problems in South Africa, and I know my friends there are doing what they can to improve things. But when you think that one of the first aims of the new government was to achieve a water tap within 100 metres of each family, you realise how bad things were beforehand.
What a day. What a man.
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