BARNEY MTHOMBOTHI: The charlatans are rewriting history in their shallow image
'It's obviously open season on Mandela. Budding political careers seem to hang on tearing him down'
When a nation is going through a period of turmoil and turbulence, its people - in an attempt to lift their spirits and steady their nerves - tend to hark back to the glorious events or achievements of the past that had made their chests swell with pride. For South Africa this is such a period. Twenty-four years ago this week, under a clear blue sky with a crisp autumn breeze, Nelson Mandela mounted the podium in front of the Union Buildings on Meintjies Kop in Pretoria to be sworn in as the president of all the people. It was a moment to savour, and worth capturing and keeping for future generations. It was truly the fulfilment of a dream.The generals who not so long before had kept Mandela prisoner now saluted him. People pinched themselves, danced in the streets and oohed and aahed at the impressive military fly-past dragging the new South African flag. It was a miracle, they said. And the word stuck. Times have changed of course. "Miracle" has become a swearword. Mandela is a se...
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