MANDELA NELSON: (1918-2013) President of South Africa 1994-99. Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1993. ...

MANDELA NELSON: (1918-2013) President of South Africa 1994-99. Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1993. An excellent content T.L.S., `N. Mandela´, one page, 4to, n.p. [Johannesburg], 17th April 2004, on his personal printed stationery, to Dr. Ivan May. The lengthy letter bears the printed heading ''Nelson R. Mandela'' beneath a logo. Mandela refers to his nation ten years anniversary after his accession to Presidency, to the elections, to the situation and to the future of South-Africa, and states in part `There could have been no more appropriate way for South Africans to celebrate the first decade of democracy so vividly as those wonderful election days in April 1994. The nation came together in the physical act of voting on those days; it is proper that we marked a decade in the life of democratic South Africa by once more coming out voting for our national and provincial legislatures. We had many challenges and obstacles in our national life over this past decade and the problems ahead remain large and daunting. Too many people in our country are still suffering the hardships and deprivations of poverty. One of the root causes of that poverty is the absence of jobs; nothing can be more of an assault on a person´s dignity than the inability to find work and gainful employment. Accompanying poverty are myriads of social ills – illiteracy, homelessness, exposure to preventable diseases, general penury and social vulnerability. And the threat of HIV/AIDS looms large in virtually all aspects of our national life. What we can say, though, is that we now have the weapon and the protection of democracy to face and tackle those problems and challenges… Because of our democracy – non-racial, non-sexist, accommodating of diversity – we have managed over this decade to cement the unity of our nation… The growth, consolidation and sustained health of our democracy are the responsibilities not only of leaders, but also of each and every citizen… Every political party and organisation has a responsibility to keep our democracy alive, our people united and our country progressing towards peace and prosperity…´ Further and before concluding `We have much to be proud of as we look back on a decade of democracy and democratic nationhood. We have often referred to as a miracle nation. That should make us humble and inspire us as we start a next decade on the long road of consolidating our freedom and building a better life for all our people…´ Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked and stamped. EX

Dr. Ivan Raymond May (1947-2010) A pioneer in the corporate marketing and cause-related marketing. May was a scholar, MBA, and a close collaborator, teacher and lecturer, to universities. A philanthrope who received worldwide awrds for his continuous work and help to the disadvantaged.