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- Title: Rayhaan Surve
- Story: 2008 The water gushes down from the sky, a streak of thunder rolls and lightning lights up the area. People run back and forth searching for shelter. A young boy loses his family and in his search for shelter stumbles upon the glowing face of Nelson Mandela. Kind eyes look at him, lips part and a powerful, but gentle voice emerges, “Come, sit, my boy,” he invites. It was August 2008 and I was at the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela statue in front of the Victor Verster Prison with my family. I got to leave school early so that we could drive to Paarl. I remember that we picked up Uncle Kathy (Ahmed Kathrada) on the way there. The weather was very grey and we had hardly begun the ceremony when it started to pour with rain. I was very lucky to find shelter with Madiba and even luckier that Mr. Gool was there to take the pictures! Later that afternoon I played in a music exam and got a distinction. I practiced hard for the exam, but I’m sure there was also some Madiba Magic working. The next day at school the principal told the whole school in assembly that I had met Madiba. Everyone was very interested to know what it had been like. If I have to use only one word, ‘amazing’! I have the pictures framed on my wall to remind me how lucky I was to meet someone who has made such a difference not only in South Africa, but in the world. And a story to tell my children and grandchildren.
- Quote: "Later that afternoon I played in a music exam and got a distinction."
- Type: Photo
- Original Source: To download a photograph click here
- Collection: Moments with a Legend
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