Mandela’s 1961 arrest recalled

People thronged to the Mandela capture site memorial near Howick at the weekend to honour Madiba's memory. He used to visit the area in disguise. Picture: Shan Pillay

People thronged to the Mandela capture site memorial near Howick at the weekend to honour Madiba's memory. He used to visit the area in disguise. Picture: Shan Pillay

Published Dec 9, 2013

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There was a sense of deep loss, gratitude and reflection in Pietermaritzburg this weekend, with locals young and old, black and white, coming together to pay their last respects to Nelson Mandela.

The Nelson Mandela capture site in Howick has been abuzz with activity since Friday, with hundreds making their way to the site to lay floral tributes and write messages of condolence before saying a silent prayer and walking away.

At the Manaye Hall heritage site in Imbali, on Sunday, the famous spot where Mandela made his last speech on March 25, 1961, shortly before his arrest, a prayer service was held, attended by a large gathering, which included Msunduzi Mayor Chris Ndlela.

Ndlela said that while the sting of Mandela’s death was still being felt, South Africans should take time to pause and reflect on the immense impact Mandela had on our lives.

On behalf of the uMgungundlovu Municipality, Mayor Yusuf Bhamjee said that we must cherish Mandela’s legacy.

“Now is the time for us to embrace his spirit and legacy so that it becomes a living monument to unite the nation. Together, in Madiba’s name let us strive to make this world a better place,” Bhamjee said.

Pietermaritzburg’s Rabia Motala, the wife of the late Dr Mohammed “Chota” Motala recalled her meetings with Mandela.

The 82-year old Motala, who is preparing to attend Mandela’s funeral in Qunu on Sunday, said that the only request Mandela made of her when he visited her, was to make him kebabs and roti.

“He loved it,” she said.

She said that she was grateful to have spent time with Mandela, who had sacrificed so much for the people of South Africa.

“We need to honour him by emulating his ideals,” Motala said.

Other Pietermaritzburg residents, some who attended the prayer meeting at Manaye Hall on Sunday, were all of one mind about the man affectionately called Tata Madiba.

Simon Madalose said he would always respect Mandela for was his spirit of forgiveness.

“He could have started a civil war with a shake of his fist, but instead, he won over his enemies with love and forgave them for persecuting him. The man was a saint. I pray his soul will rest in eternal peace,” Madalose said.

Jeremy Ragunandan, said he remembers Mandela visiting Pietermaritzburg when he was a child.

“Mandela visited my mother’s workplace and I had the privilege of shaking the great man’s hand when I was just a boy. His eyes were just full of kindness. That is a memory that will stay with me forever,” he said.

Portia Mkhize said that Mandela’s death was a great loss to the world.

“My heart is heavy. We will never have a leader like Mandela again,” she said.

Mkhize, an orphan, was raised at the Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home, an organisation that received Christmas gifts from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Foundation every year. “He made every one of my childhood Christmases a happy one,” Mkhize said.

Policeman Solly Maphumulo said that he had once met Mandela when he came to Pietermaritzburg in 1990.

“I met him again years later, and he still recalled who I was. He had that gift of making you feel special, like you mattered to him. RIP Madiba,” he said.

Mandela received the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg on April 25, 1997.

Upon receiving the key to the city he said: “I feel deeply honoured to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Pietermaritzburg. For me personally the city has strong associations that make this a moving occasion.”

Mandela’s association with the city dates back to the 1960’s when he delivered the keynote speech at the All-In Africa Conference held at the Plessislaer Arya Samaj Hall in March 1961.

Mandela’s ability to avoid arrest resulted in him being dubbed “The Black Pimpernel”. Whenever he came to Pietermaritzburg in disguise, he would visit, and often stay over at the Boom Street home of Dr Chota and Rabia Motala.

 

On one visit, dressed in overalls and wearing a cap, even the Motala’s did not recognise him. In answer to a knock on the front door, Mrs Motala asked Mandela what he wanted. He asked for Dr Motala, and when told that he was not at home, Mandela said firmly “I’ll wait,” and sat down on the veranda.

After several minutes Mrs Motala informed him that Dr Motala was at his surgery, and might not return home for several hours. Again Mandela simply said “I’ll wait”.

Mrs Motala then phoned Dr Motala and told him about the stranger waiting for him. Upon returning home, even Dr Motala had to look closely before recognising Mandela.

On August 5, 1962, Mandela, disguised as a chauffeur and giving his name as David Motsamayi, was arrested outside Howick.

 

In 1994 Mandela, identified the site of his arrest – some 10km north of Howick on the R103, where a grand sculpture now marks the iconic site.

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