For Madiba, 22-year-old Emily Dichaba, an athlete who will represent South African at the Special Olympics in Ireland, is determined to bring back all the gold she can.
The Special Olympics squad held a meet and greet session with the former president at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Dichaba said she could not believe she had actually met him.
”This is a dream come true, I am so happy. Now I am going to bring back gold, now I am going to win all of them,” said the petite woman, who will represent South Africa in the 100m, 200m and relay events.
Nelson Mandela, dressed in one of his famous shirts and using a walking stick, stopped when he saw the team of 60 sportsmen and women assembled and waiting for him.
”I can see you are going to win,” he said as applause burst out.
”And you are you also taking part,” he demanded of the over enthusiastic pool of photographers.
Mandela said it had been a pleasure working with Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) to ensure that the team was able to travel to Ireland.
He secured their air tickets after he approached South African Airways.
”The institutions in this country are confident of your efforts,” he told the athletes.
”I am certain you will do us proud and bring back all the gold.”
Mandela shook hands with each of the athletes. One young man was so overcome that he wiped his hands before taking Mandela’s.
Mandela laughed and asked: ”Must I also wipe my hands.”
While leaving Mandela spotted a former employee among the Sosa staff and gently reprimanded her for leaving him.
”She used to work for and they offered her more gold and then she left me,” he shrugged.
Sosa president Mpume Nkabinde said the team was greatly encouraged by their meeting with the former president.
”It has been a dream come true for them. Having said that we are going to do well in Ireland.”
Nkabinde said the squad had been training for four years.
”It has taken a lot of hard work for them and support, of course, from their families and coaches and the volunteers.
”I think they are going to perform very well. But you must remember that the Special Olympics is not about winning it is about taking part,” Nkabinde said.
The team, who leave for Ireland on Sunday, will compete in five and 11-a-side soccer, a marathon, a half marathon, short and middle distance athletics, aquatics and golf. The olympics are being held in Dublin from June 21 to 29.
Some 170-million people are believed to suffer from mental disability, the single largest disability group in the world. Since 1968, the Special Olympics — which now extends to 160 countries — has organised programmes to give the mentally disabled opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy. – Sapa