I spent six years working in south africa in the1990s,during which time I was privileged to witness the personal charisma of the great South African leader,Nelson Mandela,who became that country’s first black president in 1994.In those years,whenever Mandela appeared at the functions of foreign missions,he would be greeted with cheers.He was a man who cherished friendships through both his words and his deeds.I heard him say many times that the new South Africa would strengthen cooperation and exchanges with all friendly nations and that it would never forget those who have supported and helped South African people in the fight against apartheid.Soon after the founding of the new South Africa in 1994,the country’s leadership announced it would establish official relationships with Cuba and other countries,in spite of enormous pressure from some Western countries. I spent six years working in south africa in the1990s, during which time I was privileged to witness the personal charisma of the great South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who became that country’s first black president in 1994.In those years, whenever Mandela was at at the functions of foreign missions, he would be greeted with cheers. He was a man who cherished friendships through both his words and his deeds. I heard him say many times that the new South Africa that will cooperation and exchanges with all friendly nations and that it would never forget those who have supported and helped South African people in the fight against apartheid. Sung after the founding of the new South Africa in 1994, the country’s leadership announced it would establish official relationships with Cuba and other countries, in spite of enormous pressure from some Western countries.