In 1990 I went to a talk by Nelson Mandela.
He was just released from prison, no one knew what to expect from the new political order or what future awaited all South Africans. There was a great deal of anxiety, mixed with optimism. He addressed many gatherings at this time, largely to instil hope and confidence.
I arrived long before the scheduled time and the hall was already packed – people were standing shoulder to shoulder, squeezed into every inch, the noise level of the crowd was overwhelming.
He entered through a side door.
Very few people realized he was in the room. But a hush fell over the crowd.
He was not seen, he was not heard… but his presence alone was felt by everyone.
More Madiba stories:
Nelson Mandela by Roy Bannister
Meeting Nelson Mandela by Carli