Amina Cachalia and Nelson Mandela
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Amina Cachalia.
On behalf of our Founder, Board of Trustees and staff, we send our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Amina Cachalia travelled a long road with Mr Mandela and his family. She and her husband Yusuf were friends with Mr Mandela in the years before he went to prison.
After he was imprisoned in 1962, they kept in touch through letters. Only after he was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison was he finally allowed to be visited by Mrs Cachalia and her husband.
They resumed their friendship after his release in 1990. In 1995 Mrs Cachalia assisted him at a luncheon he arranged for the widows of leaders from across the political spectrum. As the widow of apartheid prime minister Hendrik Verwoerd could not attend, Mr Mandela travelled to the white enclave of Orania to visit her. Mrs Cachalia accompanied him.
On 1 June 1986, when he was in Pollsmoor Prison, he wrote her a letter saying: “I love you and Yusuf very much and you are always in my thoughts ... There is, therefore, no danger whatsoever of me forgetting you.”
Hamba kahle, Amina. We will miss you.