Why were Nelson Mandela and the Queen such good friends?
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think anyone (else) could call her Elizabeth but... he could connect with her outside the constraints of the formality and protocol that dictated her life.鈥�
Later today world leaders will gather at Westminster Abbey in London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully on Thursday the 8th of September.
Last week on this podcast, Alan held robust discussions with different guests and interrogated the queen鈥檚 legacy in Africa. He also heard 鈥� in passing 鈥� about the very special relationship she shared with the former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Queen Elizabeth visited South Africa in 1995, a year after independence.
So we thought it would be appropriate, today, to hear more about their friendship.
Mpho Lakaje speaks with two key people from President Mandela鈥檚 close circle, his chief bodyguard Rory Steyn and his personal assistant Zelda Le Gange, and gets their memories of the times the Queen met Madiba.
Podcast
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