The winning of the 1995 Rugby World Cup by South Africa was a wonderful step in reconciliation. Nelson Mandela will forever be identified with that glorious moment in our rugby history. Here are some quotes attributed to him by Jennifer Crwys Williams in the book edited by her โIn the words of Nelson Mandelaโ.
โOn the Rugby World Cup, South Africa, 1995 Our whole nation stood behind a sport which was once a symbol of apartheid. When it was 12/12 I almost collapsed. I was absolutely tense. When I left the stadium my nerves were completely shattered. Iโm still recovering.โ
The last quote was from an interview with the โNew York Timesโ in 1997, while the first quote had the following footnote:
โNone more so than Nelson Mandela himself. He appeared at the final wearing captain Francois Pienaarโs No 6 shirt โ and brought the entire country along with him, surely one of the most successful efforts at reconciliation in South Africa.โ
I believe a book has been written on our 1995 triumph and a film is following. On โCape Talkโ the other day discussion was taking place on which actor would portray the South African captain, Francois Pienaar. Phoned in an aggrieved listener, โWho is gong to take the part of Joel Stransky?โFly half, Joel Stransky, kicked all SAโs points in the final, his magnificent drop in extra time procuring our 15-12 win over arch-rivals, New Zealand. Stransky was the 10th Jew to don Springbok colours, making a minyan. It was another Jewish player, prop Okey Geffin, who in 1949, at Newlands, kicked five penalties for SA against the visiting All Blacks, to seal a 15-11 win. Here is what Arthur Goldman in โStars of Davidโ wrote about the game.โCertainly the technicalities of the game as expounded by radio commentator CK Friedlander were too much for her (Mamma Geffin, Okeyโs Mother). At one stage, when the radio man remarked (just as Geffin was hitching up his shorts for the kick which would give the Springboks a 12-11 lead), โPoor Geffin, he is a front ranker and he must be very, very tired,โ it was all too much for her. Mamma burst into tears.โ
Some years ago Arthur Goldstuck and William Ramwell compiled โMoney Talks But Mine Just Says Goodbye. More Bumper Stickers from the Information Highwayโ. Arthur sent me a copy inscribed as follows: โDear Willie, Many thanks for all the honourable mentions. I thought it was time I replenished your supply! Your friend in fun, Arthur GoldstuckโHere is a batch of quotes from the section headed โMarriageโ:
Man in love with dimple makes mistake marrying whole girl.
Marriage: A way of remaining informed of all your faults.
More husbands would leave home if they knew how to pack.
My wife divorced me because of illness. She got sick of me.
Never marry for money; you can always borrow it cheaper.
Outlaw marriage and only outlaws will have in-laws.
Every bride has to learn itโs not her wedding but her motherโs.
As a bonus here are some more quotes from a chapter headed โPedestrian: Someone who found a place to parkโ
Egotist: Someone who is always me-deep in conversation.
Mistake: Something a virgin and a parachutist can only make once.
Mummy: An Egyptian pressed for time.
Neurotic: Self-taut person.
Optimist: Someone who doesnโt know all the facts yet.
Procrastinator: A person with a wait problem.