Tata’s last meal before his capture

Nelson Mandela greets Fatima Meer. The two were among others to meet in photojournalist GR Naidoo's house the night before Mandela's arrest, recalls Nagamma Naidoo.

Nelson Mandela greets Fatima Meer. The two were among others to meet in photojournalist GR Naidoo's house the night before Mandela's arrest, recalls Nagamma Naidoo.

Published Dec 12, 2013

Share

Durban - In an emotional interview, Nagamma Naidoo, the wife of the late photojournalist GR Naidoo, spoke recently about how she prepared Nelson Mandela’s last meal the day before his arrest, which he ate in her home in Howick in August 1962.

Madiba had been staying at the Naidoo home in Asherville, Durban, as he had scheduled a series of secret meetings in the city.

Naidoo, now 84, said he arrived at her home alone.

“He walked up from the main road, then went around the house and finally through the gate into the yard. He wore a dustcoat just like those worn by drivers and he was carrying a basket in his arm like a vendor selling cakes,” she said.

Naidoo said the outfit Mandela wore was a disguise so that nobody would recognise him.

“After Mandela was settled, my late husband, GR Naidoo, asked me to cook and to keep the children quiet. I also didn’t ask any questions,” she said.

That evening she prepared several meals, including chicken and double bean curry, mutton curry, mince kebabs, rice and salads.

While Naidoo cooked in the kitchen, Mandela stayed in one of the bedrooms in the company of Ismail and Fatima Meer, Monty Naicker, JN Singh and GR Naidoo.

“They were speaking so softly that if a pin dropped you could hear it. I don’t think anybody knew that Mandela was in my house,” she said.

Naidoo said that after Mandela left her home, somebody called to tell them he had been arrested by police in Howick.

“After we heard the news that Madiba had been arrested I felt so heartsore. It was like something had been taken away from me. It was a very sad moment in my home that day. Unlike my late husband, I didn’t know Madiba that well, but I can say he was a very kind, caring and respectful man,” she said.

Naidoo said that after his release she met him again when she and her children visited him at home.

The Mercury

Related Topics: