It was 1994. I had been assigned to travel to South Africa to cover the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as head of the first post-apartheid government in South Africa.
I had spent eight years in school in Zambia, and perhaps living in Africa helped us to more clearly feel and understand the injustice of the policies of apartheid. My passport was stamped with the line, 'All countries but the Republic of South Africa' as India took a stand against the racist regime.
To return to Africa and to enter a county I had not been permitted to earlier for such a moment in history - personally and professionally it was a great high!
Nelson Mandela was already a larger-than-life figure. He had spent 27 years in prison on Robben Island, and emerged without bitterness and hatred for his former oppressors. South Africa, under him, would be a rainbow nation. Not a place where past wrongs would be avenged with hatred.
Our team met him ahead of the inauguration at his home. I know I was tongue-tied and overwhelmed. He posed for photographs with us and as he rested his hand on my shoulder and later shook my hand, I was pretty much speechless - an unusual condition for a television reporter.
Happy Birthday, Nelson Mandela. They don't make many like you, sir.
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