Mandela arrives early for first vote

The Washington Times
April 28, 1994

Neil McMahon; THE WASHINGTON TIMES

DURBAN, South Africa — Observing a daily habit acquired during his 27 years in prison, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela rose before dawn yesterday, but with more on his mind than usual.
To the 75-year-old Mr. Mandela fell the task of voting for the first time in his life — and perhaps more importantly, of leading about 17 million fellow blacks through the emotional national catharsis that South Africa’s historic all-race elections have become.
Arriving at a school-turned-polling station near Durban, a relaxed Mr. Mandela greeted a huge media contingent and joked that he hadn’t decided whom he would vote for.
“I have been agonizing over that question,” quipped the man almost certain to become South Africa’s first black president. “And when I decide, it will be secret.”
If the moment fazed him, it didn’t show. Leaving his Mercedes-Benz near the grave of a predecessor, the ANC’s first president, John Dube, he laid flowers and chatted with descendants of other ex-ANC leaders.
Then, like millions of South African voters yesterday, Mr. Mandela had to wait to have his say. He was early for his date with history, and the polling booth could not open before the legal time, even for him.
While he waited, he moved to chat with white policemen and…