David Dinkins was mayor of New York city from 1990 to 1993 and was the first ever African American person to hold that office. He was a lawyer with a degree in mathematics.
He met Madiba at the start of his eight-city visit in America in 1990. This was part of a six-week, 14-nation tour where Mandela was seeking financial support and the continuation of economic sanctions against the white regime in South Africa.
It was estimated that 750 000 people in New York came to see him when he drove through New York visiting various black neighbourhoods in the city. Mayor Dinkins said: ‘We went to Kennedy Airport to meet him, and when he descended the steps of that plane, it was almost indescribable. How often do you get to meet one of your heroes?
If I had been in prison for 27 years as he was, if I had been mistreated the way he was, I would have carried an anger within me. Yet, the most amazing thing about Nelson Mandela was his total absence of bitterness. When we first embraced, it was one of the great moments of my life.’
“I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent.” ~ Nelson Mandela
An emotional Brenda Fassie, South African pop diva, embraces Mandela....
Madiba laughs as his shoe comes off while kicking a soccer ball....
In 1991, Nelson Mandela received an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for his commitment to the country ...
Mandela and other activists had an array of supporters that came to the court each time defendants were summoned. Pictured is a young Madiba...