Dirk Willem Venter –
Even though this photograph was taken almost fifteen years ago, the day I met Mr. Mandela still stands out in my memory. I heard many stories of how lucky we were to have a great man such as him as our president and although I was very small, I felt a deep awe at being lucky enough to meet him face to face. As time passed and his distinctive voice filled my ears my understanding about what a blessing he was for our country grew.
He visited Worcester for the official launch of the Blue Train. I was selected from a group of students from my school to hand him a gift. I remember being nervous and a little apprehensive as I didn’t know what to expect when meeting such a great man. He did not talk down to me as grown up to kid, but instead smiled and told me how happy he was to meet me and my fellow students from the Pioneer school.
I did not know it then, but meeting him truly changed my life. I am one of only three completely blind students in the country to study BSc Computer Science. His example taught me to never give up and never regard myself too highly above others.
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This touched me. Amazing how a one time meeting with someone as evolved as Mandela can impact and change another human’s life.
It is amazing. I guess children are so open and innocent that they can see things clearly even when they can’t see.
I like beauty.
Me too.
What a wonderful account of an amazing experience. Wonderful photographs.
It’s beautiful. I love Nelson Mandela.
I spent some time growing up in SA before Nelson Mandela was released – such a challenging time. I remember as a child questioning why people were treated differently and never actually getting an answer that made sense.
A totally moving story by Dirk! I am reblogging it to help fill out my follower’s understanding of how we are all in this earth-project together and must work together as one!
Reblogged this on granbee and commented:
Dear sisters and brothers:
Please give your attention to this video post from creatingreciprocity’s wordpress blog. This is a very moving story of a blind Afrikaaner (by ethnicity) boy meeting with Nelson Mandela and going on to be only one of three blind students to complete studies in computer science in South Africa! As Dirk says, Mr. Mandela held himself neither above nor below anyone else. This is my prayer for how all people will grow into traveling through this journey here on earth.
What a beautiful post! Amazing. Thank you my friend. 🙂
This is wesome
Centuries of racism built on skin color, and here is this young man who cannot feel the color of Mandela’s skin but can feel his smile, his peace, and his love.
Profound!