She knows that Nelson Mandela is grateful to them for all they had done for him, Mrs Graça Machel has told a special gathering of his former staff.
In attendance were Dudu Buthelezi, Diketso Mufamadi, Jill Coetzee (nee Phillips), Zelda Isaacs, Razia Saleh, Goolam Aboobaker, Boniswa Nyati, John Samuel, Florence Garishe, Lucky Mazibuko, Vimla Naidoo, Maeline Engelbrecht, Sandy Ramnaidoo, Ethel Arends, Sahm Venter, Sikhona Ndlovu, Mothomang Diaho, Makano Morojele, Leon Botha, Virginia Engel, Bridgette Prince, Lee Davies, Shadrack Katuu, Tania Arrison-Shunmugam, Jill Ruby, Bushy Mphahlele, Joel Netshitenzhe, Sello Hatang, Lucia Raadschelders, Maretha Slabbert, Buyi Sishuba, Thembeka Mufamadi, Joe Ditabo, William Smith, Fanie Pretorius, Khehla Shubane, Yase Godlo, Verne Harris, Zelda la Grange, Gloria Jafta and Gerrit Wissing
About 40 people, among them current and former employees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as several of Mr Mandela's former government staff members, met at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory today.
Among the guests were three former CEOs of the Nelson Mandela Foundation – Khehla Shubane, John Samuel and Achmat Dangor – as well as several of Mr Mandela's key staff.
In welcoming Mrs Machel, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang thanked her "for thinking of bringing us all together".
"Today is about reflection and giving thanks," Hatang said.
Mrs Machel, who is still in mourning and was clad in black, told the gathering that she would not have closure until she was able to look into the eyes of, and embrace, all those who had played such important roles in her late husband's life.
Millions of South Africans have never seen their faces or met them, but she said she was privileged to have done so.
Mrs Machel, on behalf of Madiba, expressed heartfelt thanks for all they had done for him. He was appreciative, valued people and never took their contributions for granted, she said, and she was sure he was present and thanking them himself.
Without their support for him, he would never have been able to achieve what he had, she added, and she encouraged them to take credit for this.
Several of the guests used the opportunity to remember Mr Mandela, in so doing highlighting facets of him: his sense of humour and playfulness, his great communication skills, his ability to see the good in anyone, his sense of protocol, his humanness.
Describing Mr Mandela's courtship of Mrs Machel and their subsequent marriage, former government communications head Joel Netshitenzhe recalled that in 1998 and 1999 he seemed "less interested in the affairs of state", adding: "That confirms he was a true human being."