How did Nelson Mandela reconcile his warring bodyguards?
Nelson Mandela’s bodyguards look back at his legacy
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
DISCLAIMER: This episode originally aired on 18 July 2022
In July Alan Kasujja went on the road with Africa Daily and his first stop was Johannesburg.
Alan wanted to hear from people, out and about, and - as luck would have it – he’d arrived just in time for a special day: Nelson Mandela’s birthday, when the legacy of the former President and anti-apartheid hero is celebrated in South Africa.
As the country’s new President in 1994, Mandela faced the massive challenge of bringing black and white South Africans together.
But not many people know that he started this task with those closest to him: his bodyguards.
Alan spoke to a black former freedom fighter and a white former apartheid police officer – who both became Mr. Mandela’s bodyguards.
They hated each other at first – but eventually became close friends.