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Updated Saturday, February 6, 2010 1:25 pm TWN, AFP

Mandela invites jail guard to anniversary dinner

JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela invited one of his former jailers to help mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison at a special dinner.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent 27 years in prison under white-minority apartheid rule, mainly on the notorious Robben Island near Cape Town. His release on February 11, 1990, set South Africa on the path to democracy.

Christo Brand was a Robben Island warder, but the two developed a friendship that Mandela said in his memoirs had "reinforced my belief in the essential humanity of even those who had kept me behind bars."

Brand was among a small group invited to Mandela's home late Wednesday for a dinner with his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his daughter Zindzi, and leading anti-apartheid activists.

At the party Brand asked Mandela, a boxer in his youth, if he still exercised, according to the Sapa news agency.

"It's not easy, but I do it every now and then. I do feel like I am getting old. Time is flying. I'm not really worried," 91-year-old Mandela said.

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February 10, 2010 takoua@

I am very delighted to see Mr. Mandela and Mama Winnie together. But still I always weep that Mr. Mandela divorced her painfully and took another woman. Even if it is true that mama Winnie committed errors, Mr. Mandela could have forgiven her, his struggle mate, companion, unconditional supporter, the woman and her daughters and grandchildren suffered too much, always going and coming, beaten, imprisoned, humiliated before and after his release. All those who encouraged Mr. Mandela to divorce her, why didn't they divorce their own wives, are their wives perfect women? Why do they enjoy to see their own family together but not Mr. Mandela with his beloved mama Winnie, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren together in the same house, on the same bed, on the same table everyday.

I think now Mr. Mandela's eyes are widely opened and now know the reason why he was forced to divorce.
I still ask myself why. But I know one thing: The All Mighty God loves mama Winnie and nobody can separate her from this precious and unique love which is greater than the love the earth's population.

Even Jesus-Christ, who didn't sin was treated more than a sinner. As He said, the servant is not greater than the master. If they did this to the master, they will do the same to the servant. Even the high priests was against Him. This is the case of mama Winnie.

I hope mama Winnie believes in the Holy one, the creator of heaven and earth and in His son Jesus. May God richly bless mama Winnie and my special wish is that God grants her many more years again, and above all, reserve her a big palace in the New Jerusalem, that no one can take from her, where she will enjoy eternal peace in the bosom of Abraham, where his detractors and accusers, and all these journalists who are not tired of campaigning against her will ask her just a drop of water like the rich man and Lazarus.

What ever people say about this charismatic woman, my family and I love her.

Mama, we are 100% with you because we also are poor sinners. May God richly bless all those who supported you during your humiliations worldwide and though times.

I will get the opportunity to write you, and also talk face to face with you one day.

Onyame nshira wo daa!!!

Tabitha.


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