In celebration of Mandela Day, we look back at Lucas Radebe's Magic Madiba moment in Leeds.
Check it out!
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The story
On 18 July the world celebrates and honours the life and legacy of the late President Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years fighting for freedom in South Africa.
Mandela Day, which is also the late political icon's birthday, serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela's values and principles and how to make a positive impact in their own surroundings.
Former Bafana Bafana and Leeds United captain, Lucas Radebe shared a special bond with Tata Madiba, with the latter once famously referring to the legendary defender as his "hero".
In April 2001, the late former President Mandela was warmly welcomed to Rhoo's adopted hometown of Leeds, to open their Millennium Square, to receive the "Freedom of the City" and to re-dedicate the Mandela Gardens in the Leeds city centre that was originally been named after him 1983 as a gesture of support, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Radebe welcomed Madiba on stage at the Leeds' Millennium Square in front 5 000 people, with Grammy Award winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo performing alongside Tata.
"It was an amazing day, I mean the city was still. I remember the crowd, it was absolutely packed. It was a working day, but it seemed like everybody stopped working to come and receive the big man. For me, as a South African who was living in England at the time, it was special. Having the man who opened the door to where I was, in Leeds, it was a huge moment," recounted, Rhoo in his short Leeds United documentary, "Lucas Radebe: Cult Icon".
The short doccie told the story of Radebe's journey from Soweto to Leeds in the United Kingdom, chronicling his path to Leeds United stardom and cult following.
The documentary revisited the moment Madiba visited Yorkshire and Radebe gave an honest and touching account of his unforgettable day with South Africa's first democratic president.
"We were lined up, everybody was sat and he [Nelson Mandela] came in and greeted everybody, he came to me and he stopped to say 'Ah, Mthimkhulu!' and he turns around and says, 'this is my hero.' I had goosebumps, a lump on my throat, I was emotional," shared Radebe.
"That was emotional, I mean such a man that is admired by the world. To have such special words said to me, I was lost. I didn't know how to behave, that hit me hard. To be honest, it changed the way I felt about people and looked at people," added Rhoo.
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Watch Lucas Radebe reflecting on his magic moment with Madiba on the short documentary made by Leeds United:
Skip to minute 10 and watch up to minute 12 to hear Rhoo speaking about Mandela...
