Tall walk to freedom
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 2:06 pm
On December 13 2012, Pres. Jacob Zuma's big white (unmarked) plane landed at Bloemfontein Airport bearing our fearless leader. When it took off later the same day, it was leaving from "Bram Fischer Airport" - the new name of which had been bestowed by JZ in a suitable ceremony attended by dozens. Bram was a Bloemfontein struggle stalwart who defended Mandela in the Rivonia trial and himself was forced underground and finally arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was released when he contracted cancer and died at his brother's house in Bloem. My friend Reg told me this because he knew Bram's brother and was around when Bram died.

Before departing, JZ was convoyed up Naval Hill and pulled the sheet off the biggest statue of Nelson Mandela in the entire world. Madiba stands, fist raised and no doubt speaking the rallying cry of the ANC - "Nkandla!" Callers to SAFM radio are complaining the statue does not look a bit like Mandela - he is much shorter. I was sorry not to have known in advance about all this because I would have attended both events.
Meade

Before departing, JZ was convoyed up Naval Hill and pulled the sheet off the biggest statue of Nelson Mandela in the entire world. Madiba stands, fist raised and no doubt speaking the rallying cry of the ANC - "Nkandla!" Callers to SAFM radio are complaining the statue does not look a bit like Mandela - he is much shorter. I was sorry not to have known in advance about all this because I would have attended both events.
Meade