President Mbeki,
Chief Rabbi Goldstein,
My South African brothers and sisters,
Honored guests,
I never met Nelson Mandela.
But since I arrived in South Africa, the shadow of Madiba has been everywhere. The first place I visited in this country was the Lillesleaf farm in Johannesburg where Mandela and other ANC leaders, including many Jews active in the struggle, hid out over 50 years ago. My wife and I took our daughters to Soweto, to Robben Island and just last weekend we watched together the new film based on Mandela’s astoundingly beautiful autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom”. I have been given by three different people the beautiful and moving book that was published by the South Africa Board of Jewish Deputies in 2011 called “Jewish Memories of Mandela.”
I am aware that relations between Israel and South Africa have always been complicated. Clearly, Mandela did not always agree with Israel and like many South Africans had historical ties to the Palestinians – but always he spoke of a need for a negotiated peace and recognized the rights of Jews to have our state in our homeland, Israel.
Haverim, friends,
Madiba’s lesson of talking to one’s enemies, seeking compromise and looking towards a better future despite troubled histories is deeply meaningful. The idea that impossible, intractable problems can be negotiated – that is a South African model that can be shared in the Middle East. I know that you, President Mbeki, spent many, many hours trying to do just that. While we still have real challenges and obvious difference from the situation here, I believe that our relationships – between Israel and South Africa and for Israel with our neighbors – can be positively impacted by Mandela’s legacy. I hope that I can learn more about the unique South African experience and seek out South African ways to inspire Israelis and our neighbors to talk, make peace and find our “internal Mandela”.
May his memory be a blessing. יהי זכרו ברוך
I am deeply honored to be able to share with you this evening a message from President Peres to President Zuma and the people of South Africa: