Thank you, Madiba.

Nelson Mandela turns 89 today, and I remember reading his speeches when I was running away from the army in Swaziland. And, years later, seeing him come to pick up his grandchildren from the play school behind the Shul on The Curve in Bez Valley.

I remember the TV debate with de Klerk when Madiba said: “Mr de Klerk is being less than candid.” And you knew, watching, that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the senior man. And that he told the truth, and that de Klerk was lying. And he did it so beautifully that by the end you got the feeling that de Klerk, like all of us, was grateful just to be in his presence.

Happy birthday Mr Mandela.

And thank you.