By Tammy O'Reilly and Lucky Sindane

EVEN if one hadn't seen the red carpet or heard the blaring police sirens, there was something in the air at Orlando that signalled someone important was expected.

Such was the atmosphere in the Orlando communal hall in Soweto, where the revered former president, Nelson Mandela, accepted the freedom of the city award on Friday 23 July.

As Mandela stepped out of the car, the crowds that had gathered along the fence around the hall greeted him with a mixture of raucous applause, ululation and chants of "Madiba, Madiba".

Inside the hall, the 217 City of Johannesburg councillors as well as the executive mayor, Amos Masondo, guests and members of the media sat in silence, listening to the crowds.

What followed was a burst of applause, a standing ovation and the periodic piercing howl of a vuvuzela smuggled into the hall by an enthusiast. Then came a Sesotho song "Nelson Mandela a hona ya tswanang le wena" - there's no one like you.

"Mandela has done a lot of things for us as South Africans irrespective of our race. We are celebrating 10 years of democracy this year because of him," said a jubilant Agnes Mahlangu from Orlando East.

In his address, Masondo said: "We are aware of the many awards that Madiba has received over the years, both at home and abroad. We don't, however, want to be like the people of yore who failed to recognise and acknowledge the proverbial prophet in his locality."

He said the award was being bestowed on Mandela at an important time in the history of the country - that of South Africa's celebration of a decade of freedom and democracy.

"In your own life you have adhered to and prompted policies that have depth and resilience. You have shown over and over again that putting an emphasis on that which is young, budding and developing rather than to concentrate on that which is antiquated, divisive and obsolete, is a sure way to invest into the future," said Masondo.

In response Mandela, in true form, acknowledged the award and jokingly asked if it "would be rude for an old man from the Transkei to ask that the town to which he emigrated so many years ago" at least allow him the privilege of driving his cattle through the main streets of the city without let or hindrance.

"We are truly honoured by this award, especially as it binds us to two great South Africans who had been the previous recipients, namely Walter Sisulu and Beyers Naude," Mandela said.

"We are not convinced that we can truly walk in the company of those two men, both whose greatness resided in their exemplary humility."

He added: "Both of them, each in his own way and his own historical space, made such an enormous contribution to shaping our country's future towards what we presently enjoy and look forward to in coming years, decades and centuries.

"But none of them ever sought personal glory out of that contribution; they were the inspirers of those of us that eventually received recognition, glory and awards."

Sisulu received the freedom of the city in 1997 and Naude received it in 2001.

The freedom of the city does not give Madiba any special privileges, but is rather a token to acknowledge his contribution to the city and its people - and the people of South Africa.

Mike Moriarty, a councillor and the leader of the Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg, said the city "lays claim to Madiba like no other city can".

Mandela came to Johannesburg after leaving his family home in Qunu.

After his release from 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela re-established his home in Johannesburg.

The scroll containing the council resolution to confer the award on Mandela was read out by the city manger, Pascal Moloi, and then signed by the mayor, Moloi and Mandela himself. It was then handed to Mandela in a wooden casket.

"Mandela is indeed a great man. I consider myself very lucky to have crossed his path," said George Bizos, the advocate.

Khosi Masondo, the mayor's wife, presented a gold brooch with the council's coat of arms to Graça Machel.

And the former speaker of parliament, Frene Ginwala, said: "The mayor has said it all, Mandela has lived up to people's expectations.

"I hope that the mayor will allow him to bring his cattle herd and walk it through the main streets of Joburg," she added.
Source: Jonews