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Mandela’s happiest day

Published:Sunday | July 25, 2021 | 12:06 AM
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Dr. Nelson Mandela after he was conferred with the doctorate from the University of the West Indies.
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Dr. Nelson Mandela after he was conferred with the doctorate from the University of the West Indies.
Mrs Winnie Mandela broke down in tears of joy at the luncheon put on by the Women’s Bureau at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on July 24, 1991.
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Mrs Winnie Mandela broke down in tears of joy at the luncheon put on by the Women’s Bureau at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on July 24, 1991.
Minister of Labour Welfare and Sports Portia Simpson (right), fans Winnie Mandela during an emotionally-charged event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
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Minister of Labour Welfare and Sports Portia Simpson (right), fans Winnie Mandela during an emotionally-charged event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
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Sheree Rhoden
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Nelson and Winnie Mandela acknowledging the crowd at the National Stadium.
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Nelson and Winnie Mandela acknowledging the crowd at the National Stadium.
Nelson Mandela delivering his speech at the National Stadium.
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Nelson Mandela delivering his speech at the National Stadium.
Nelson Mandela greeting Leader of Opposition Edward Seaga.
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Nelson Mandela greeting Leader of Opposition Edward Seaga.
Persons lined the streets to get a glimpse of Nelson and Winnie Mandela.
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Persons lined the streets to get a glimpse of Nelson and Winnie Mandela.
Winnie Mandela at the centre of things as Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Sports, Portia Simpson (left) and Advisor on Women’s Affairs, Beverley Manley exchange thoughts with her during a luncheon held in their honour at the Pegasus Hotel.
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Winnie Mandela at the centre of things as Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Sports, Portia Simpson (left) and Advisor on Women’s Affairs, Beverley Manley exchange thoughts with her during a luncheon held in their honour at the Pegasus Hotel.
Nelson Mandela, president of the African National Congress of South Africa, waves in appreciation of the tumultuous welcome he received from Jamaicans in the waving gallery and on the tarmac at the Norman Manley Airport on July 24, 1991. Prime Minister Mic
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Nelson Mandela, president of the African National Congress of South Africa, waves in appreciation of the tumultuous welcome he received from Jamaicans in the waving gallery and on the tarmac at the Norman Manley Airport on July 24, 1991. Prime Minister Michael Manley (left) escorted the ANC leader, while Winnie Mandela raises her clenched fist in the ANC salute to the crowd.
ANC President Nelson Mandela acknowledging the crowd at the National Stadium.
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ANC President Nelson Mandela acknowledging the crowd at the National Stadium.
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“This is the happiest day of my life,” African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela stated on the evening of July 24, 1991, before tens of thousands of Jamaicans in the National Stadium, at the climax of a hectic 24-hour visit.

Yesterday, Saturday, July 24, marked 30 years since this historic visit of Nelson and Winnie Mandela to Jamaica.

The occasion was filled with unrestrained outpourings of love and affection for the ANC president and his wife, Winnie. Some streets in Kingston were filled with adults and children hoping to get a glimpse or touch of them.

Nelson Mandela was conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the highest honour a non-national can receive. During his busy schedule, he received an honorary doctorate at The University of the West Indies, dined with six heads of government from the region, and had the honour of addressing a session of the joint houses of Parliament.

Read more at: https://gleaner.newspaperarchive.com/kingston-gleaner/1991-07-25/

Relive some of the moments from this historic occasion in pictures from The Gleaner Archives.

The Gleaner Library is a rich repository of archival material – newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, cartoons. To purchase the featured photographs and other archival materials, please contact us at 876-932-6231 or email us at: library@gleanerjm.com