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Mandela Visits Kingston, July 1991 – Mandela Day

Jamaica Celebrates Mandela with Distinction and Song

By Jennifer Ryan     V9#7 1991

Nelson Mandela greets kingston fans, July 24, 1991
Nelson Mandela & wife Winnie (sitting) greet the Kingston massive

Amandla! The deep-throated roar of the crowd in Kingston’s jam-packed National Stadium reached and rattled the rafters of heaven. As the poignant strains melted into the thunder of myriad voices, Nelson and Winnie Mandela stood straight, tall and proud, fists clenched in the traditional salute to freedom. The Mother and the Father had returned home. The Children wept with joy

For 10 days, newspapers, radio and television had been trumpeting the news to Jamaica’s masses. The Mandela’s were coming! The dream about to be fulfilled. Not since the visit of his Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, in 1966, had an event of such momentous import occurred. Unnatural mysticism filled the air since it appeared as though the Mandela’s would actually set foot on Jamaican soil on July 23, the birthday of His Majesty.  [Update: The Mandela’s arrived July 24 and stayed 24 hours] Continue reading