‘Madiba magic’: Quirky mix of grandeur, simplicity

In this Dec. 7, 2005, file photo, former South African President Nelson Mandela, 87, is in a jovial mood at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, where he met with the winner and runnerup of the local “Idols” competition. South Africa’s president said Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, that Mandela has died. He was 95. AP PHOTO/DENIS FARRELL

JOHANNESBURG—South Africans called it the “Madiba magic” after his clan name—Nelson Mandela’s quirky mix of grandeur and simplicity, his ready quips, his ability to relate to the poor, his colorful custom-made shirts and his dancing prowess.

Mandela drew politicians from around the world, as well as ordinary children and adults keen to get a glimpse of the freedom icon who spent 27 years in prison.

Many remember his solemn inauguration as South Africa’s first black president on May 20, 1994, at the age of 75, when he shuffled a few steps in perfect time despite the wear and tear on his body, fists clenched, with a beaming smile.

The now famous “Madiba jive” was born.

Entertainers parodied it, radio stations took up the beat, and every time Mandela made a public appearance someone would ask him to jive despite his increasing frailty over the years.

Indissolubly associated with the Madiba magic were his loose shirts—riots of color which stood out among the sober suits and ties of his associates.

The photographers loved them, even though they were forbidden to use flash when taking pictures of Mandela because his eyes had been weakened when working in the glare of a limestone quarry on Robben Island, off Cape Town, where he was imprisoned for 18 years.

The children of South Africa adored Madiba, who had a special empathy with youngsters as he missed seeing his own grow up while in apartheid prisons.

Mandela’s empathy for individuals often came at the most unlikely moments.

He once interrupted a meeting to ask after the health of a heavily pregnant journalist, tapping her swollen belly gently with his big boxer’s hands and asking her when the baby was due.

He was also adept at poking fun at himself, saying in 2000: “My bosses always say that I have had 27 years in prison to loaf. It is now time to do some catching up.”

In 1998, he declared: “My greatest regret in life is that I never became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.”

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