Final Goodbye: Nelson Mandela with 10 sporting legends

“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela.

As South Africans and many worldwide still mourn the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela, we take a look at 10 meetings that the great man had with legends from the sporting world.

1) Pele and Samuel Eto’o

Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, receiving from Brazilian football legend Pele (L) and Cameroon striker, Samuel Eto’o, the jersey, that was used by the African and FIFA Invitation teams during the “90 Minutes for Mandela” match, that was played at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on 18 July, 2007

Cameroonian footballer Samuel Eto’o met Nelson Mandela in July 2007, when he presented the former president with a jersey which was being used in the ‘90 minutes for Mandela’ charity match in Cape Town.

Brazilian football legend – Pele – was a dear friend of Mandela’s. The pair have met on various occasions such as Pele visiting South Africa and the then president Mandela in 1995, when organising a trip for the Brazilian team to tour South Africa and also playing for Mandela in the celebrity charity football game. Pele has also presented Mandela with a signed No.10 Brazilian jersey. Pele who is regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest footballer to have ever played, tweeted his sentiments about the South African politician after news broke out of his passing.

“He was my hero, my friend,” Pele tweeted. “He was my companion in the struggle for the popular cause and for world peace. Let us carry on his work. He was one of the most influential people in my life.”

2) Brian Lara

Nelson Mandela shows his amazement at the presentation of an inscribed cricket bat by West Indian cricket legend Brian Lara.

The former West Indian cricketer met Mandela in Johannesburg in 2005 when Mandela accepted a bat signed by the legendary cricketer. Lara noted that the bat (above) was ‘unfortunately used against South Africa and scored a couple of hundreds.’ Mandela then examined the bat and jokingly replied, “I think I should start playing cricket.” On the bat Lara wrote, “To a man that has inspired the world. I love you, president Mandela. My best wishes to a personal hero.” Lara even stated that it was ‘one of the greatest days of my life’. “We spoke about his love for cricket and what cricket does to influence the world.” said Lara. Mandela even told him that he is ‘a young handsome chap’.

3) Lennox Lewis

Former South African president Nelson Mandela and world heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis take up boxing stances, in a mock fight at Mandela’s residence. South Africa.

The undisputed heavyweight champion met Mandela in South Africa in 2001. The British boxer posted on his website a statement regarding the death of Mandela,

“I’m very saddened today to hear of the passing of one of my lifelong heroes, President Nelson Mandela. He lived a life of example through his dedication, commitment and unwavering love, not only for his brothers and sisters in South Africa, but for the entire human race. I have very rarely, if ever, witnessed strength and compassion on his level. His legacy will continue to help shape the world for many generations to come. I am truly grateful for my time with him and for his time in this world. Strength and prayers to his family and the people of South Africa. May he forever rest in paradise.”

4) Tiger Woods and Ernie Els

Nelson Mandela with Ernie Els and Tiger Woods from 2003

South African golfer, Ernie Els has met Nelson Mandela on several occasions. On Ernie Els’ website, he recalls the first time he met Mandela in 1994. Els also said that Mandela called him after every tournament he had ever won. Els further expresses Mandela’s presence on his website saying: “You cannot say anything bad about the man. By any measure and in any time in history he can be regarded as a great man and a great statesman – a man of wisdom and compassion, too.There was something magical about him… He was an unbelievable guy and the guys who lived in that generation will really miss him.”

Tiger Woods met Mandela 15 years ago, “I went down there to play Sun City, and he invited us to his home. And my father and I went to have lunch with him. It still gives me chills to this day, thinking about it,” said Woods. “The energy that he has, that he exudes, is unlike any person I’ve ever met. And it was an honour to meet him at his home. And that’s an experience that I will never, ever forget.” Woods learned about Mandela’s death whilst playing in the 2013 Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, he told reporters, “It’s sad, sad for anyone who has gotten the chance to not only meet him but been influenced by him… It’s a sad day for many people around the world.”

5) Muhammad Ali

Oprah Winfrey signs a print Of Nelson Mandela And Muhammad Ali that was auctioned, The Stars Of Rock And Roll Join Forces For Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Concert In Cape Town, South Africa.

One of the greatest American boxers, Mohammad Ali met Nelson Mandela twice – once in South Africa and in North America. Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali is also seen hugging and laughing with the South African in numerous pictures. Ali commented on the passing of the politician’s death, stating: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela. He made us realize, we are our brothers’ keeper and that our brothers come in all colours. What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free.”

6) Boris Becker

South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela (R) smiles next to former World No. 1 German tennis player Boris Franz Becker as he poses with some of the local musical talent 29 October 2007

The former number one tennis champion met Nelson Mandela in October 2007 ahead of the 46664 (Mandela’s prison number) AIDS Benefit Concert. The German right-hander tweeted his sentiments to Mandela, “The world is crying tonight. Thank you Sir, for teaching us the very essence of humanity. With all my love.”

7) Michael Spinks and Joe Frazier

South African President Nelson Mandela (C) poses with former heavyweight boxing champions Michael Spinks (L) and the late Joe Frazier (R) at his official residence in Pretoria 06 December 1997.

Heavyweight American boxer Michael Spinks (left), met Mandela with the undisputed heavyweight champion Joe Frazier on the 6^th of December 1997. The boxers were visiting South Africa at the President’s invitation. Frazier died in 2011, Joe’s manager at that time, Burt Watson relayed the story of Frazier’s and Mandela’s first meeting: “They hugged and spoke to each other. He told Joe how much he respected him, how much he appreciated what he did to the world. Joe presented him with the belt and said, ‘I want you to have this.’” The belt was the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship belt he was awarded after defeating Muhammad Ali in 1971. Watson took the belt and snapped it around Mandela’s waist. Mandela and Frazier posed for a few pictures, Frazier left and the two never met again.

8) Natalie du Toit

Five gold medals winner at the Paralympic Games 2008, Natalie du Toit (R) smiles as she poses with South Africa’s first democratic leader Nelson Mandela on October 3, 2008, in Johannesburg.

Commonwealth and Paralympican champion Natalie du Toit met Nelson Mandela in 2008. The South African swimmer, counted Mandela as one of her admirers after her fatal injury that left her with an amputation of her left leg at the knee. Among the first people to recognize her feats was Nelson Mandela after representing South Africa in her comeback in the 2004 Paralympic games.

9) Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal star player Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton on June 9, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Portuguese football star met Mandela in 2010. Ronaldo was personally invited by the former South African leader to visit him at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Real Madrid forward presented Madiba — as he is affectionately known to South Africans — with a Portugal replica jersey with the No. 91, alluding to his age at that time. The Portuguese captain tweeted his reaction of his death, “Thankful Madiba for your legacy and your example. You”ll always stay with us.”

10) Gary Player

Former South African president, Nelson Mandela in deep discussion with golfing legend, Gary Player, at the Nelson Mandela Invitational at the Arabella Golf Course.

When the legendary South African golfer first met Madiba, he got on his hands and knees and kissed the President’s feet. Remembering his ‘very tearful’ first encounter with Mandela, the nine-time major winner met Mandela at his office in Johannesburg after he had gotten released from his 27 years in prison. The next time the two would meet would be when Mandela supported him in a charity tournament. “He said to me, ‘When I was in jail, I used to watch you playing.’ He was very complimentary,” Player recounts. On his website, Player paid tribute to the former politician, “Nelson Mandela is one of the great heroes in my life and I believe did more for our country than any other person in our history. As a proud South African, I am certain Mandela’s legacy will endure in our nation and across the world as a figure of courage, value, spirit, and above all else, love.”

Other notable sporting persons include: Ryan Giggs, Hansie Cronje, David Beckham, Sachin Tendulkar, Francois Pienaar, Marvin Hagler, Marion Jones, Penny Heyns, Kepler Wessels, Oscar Pistorius, Tana Umaga, Nick Evans, John Smit, George Weah, Mike Tyson, Josia Thugwane, Frankie Fredericks, Shaun Pollock, Greg Norman, Baby Jake, Steven Pienaar, Khotso Mokoena, Mark Boucher, Robinho, Nick Price, Roeland Schoeman, Michael Atherton, Mohammad Azharuddin, Roy Keane, Maria Bak, Roberto Duran, Emmanuel Adebayor, Michael Johnson, Graeme Smith, Asamoah Gyan, Serena Williams, Chris Eubank, Caster Semenya, Neil Tovey, Peter Schmeichel, Devon Malcolm, the 1995 and 1996 England cricket team, the 1993 West Indian cricket team, the 2004 New Zealand rugby team, the 1993 and 2006 Manchester United team, the 1994 Liverpool team, the 1993 Arsenal team, the 2009 Manchester City team, the 2003 England football team and on various occasions the South African cricket, rugby, football and paralympian teams.