Here, in death, lies a human being owned by anyone who wishes to see his dead personage. I try to imagine South Africa s beloved Nelson Mandela condemned to the eternal purgatory of a sub-zero, glass enclosed crypt. It is an unthinkable thought. The weather, approaching winter, grows colder, the joyless sky reflected in the faces of the people I meet. He replies, We leave smiling to our Southern brothers.
Life is too hard here for smiling .
A few days later, while waiting to board the return flight to South Africa, I hear laughter and Afrikaans for the first time in two weeks, and find myself crying with joy. The experience is a turning point in the writers emotions about South Africa. Inc. PageWise makes no representations about the content published on this site. PageWise hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, and user agrees that all such use is at its own risk. If you are under 18, please do NOT opt-in to receive email offers on this page.