The array of walking sticks, slippers and blankets

Tag : arabian slippers


What do you give a man who has everything? This conundrum becomeseven harder when the man in question is the international iconNelson Mandela. Yet if you take a peek into the treasure trovehidden behind the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, hundredsof people thought they could rise to the challenge. Now Madibasports a collection of kitsch that would rival that of anysecond-rate rock star.

On entering the room a visitor is struck by all that is gold andglistens. Stacked against the wall are dozens of ornate gildedframes for the portraits and paintings that, in oils andwatercolours, depict mostly scenes of Madiba with the giver of thegift.

That is not where the gold theme ends. An embossed dagger in anemerald suede box was a gift from the Saudi Arabian embassy inSouth Africa and shares the space with a massive gilded Bible thatwas given to Madiba by the Methodist church.

Some have opted to improve Madiba's wardrobe with sports gear thatis meant to spice up his time in the gym. From South African tennislegend Amanda Coetzer, Madiba received a pair of green Nikecross-trainers, size 11, which are still brand-new and waiting fortheir first race. This is complemented by a set of red boxinggloves and a few basketballs. Two Missoni towels from music legendQuincey Jones are meant to round off the gym experience and, afterthat, cans of the energy drink Firefly are available forrefreshment.

The captains of industry opted for more traditional gifts. Shopriteboss Whitey Basson presented Madiba with a smart Viyella dressshirt of pure silk while Absa chief executive Steve Booysen gavehim a 54cm television set.

But there are those who believe that functional gifts are moreimportant than expensive ones. According to staff at theFoundation, the most common gift they receive for Madiba is a comb."They know what old people need," one staff member said.

The array of walking sticks, slippers and blankets (even one fromthe pop group Black Eyed Peas) fill a cupboard in the corner.

The most expensive present is an animal-skin book of photographs byMichael Poliza that weighs about 10kg.

And then there are those who don't care about functionality orprice. Two glass bottles of sand, a talisman from the Iranianrepublic and a wooden bow-and-arrow set are also displayed. FromIreland there is a mug featuring a picture of a sheep with thewitty message "Wish ewe were here". A sombrero from the Argentinianembassy rounds off the collection.