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Dr Gro Brundtland
The Nelson Mandela Foundation
Johannesburg, South Africa
Details
- Title: Dr Gro Brundtland
- Story: 1997 ROBBEN ISLAND I remember this visit to Robben island well. Behind me in the picture is the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bjoern Tore Godal. To me and to my generation of Norwegian social democrats, Nelson Mandela was our most revered hero. We cried for Steven Biko, we fought against apartheid and for direct support to the struggle. We argued for boycotts. A free South Africa and our call, "Free Nelson Mandela" was key to our attention and emotion. Personally, I was lucky to meet Madiba in 1990, when he visited Oslo for a conference on tolerance, while still not a fully free man. As former Prime Minister and as Party leader of the Labour Party, I was given the opportunity to have a breakfast meeting with him. The strongest impression upon me was his personality. His attitude and reflections about his choice to trust Mr De Klerk, as they were in discussions about the future of their country, impressed me immensely. I met him several times in the coming years, before the memorable events of the day this photo was taken. I was deeply moved by his invitation to come with him on a visit to the island where he spent so many years of his life. Keeping close to him for hours, holding hands, I was in his tiny cell, saw where they lived and worked, their daily lives as prisoners. Nelson Mandela is unique. To be his friend and be given such opportunities to share key parts of his experience is something I can never thank him for enough. I can still recapture my heartbeat and deep sentiments of that day, as I was walking with Madiba across the land where he and his fellow prisoners daily had been exposed toglaring light, affecting their eyes for life, as they were forced to work under terrible circumstances.
- Quote: "To be his friend and be given such opportunities to share key parts of his experience is something I can never thank him for enough."
- Type: Photo
- Original Source: To download a photograph click here
- Collection: Moments with a Legend
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