I spent six years working in South Africa in the 1990s, during which time I was privileged to witness the personal charisma of the great South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who became that country's first black president in 1994.

In those years, whenever Mandela appeared at the functions of foreign missions, he would be greeted with cheers. He was a man who cherished friendships through both his words and his deeds. I heard him say many times that the new South Africa would strengthen cooperation and exchanges with all friendly nations and that it would never forget those who have supported and helped South African people in the fight against apartheid.

Soon after the founding of the new South Africa in 1994, the country's leadership announced it would establish official relationships with Cuba and other countries, in spite of enormous pressure from some Western countries.

At a meeting, I met Mandela. Getting to know I came from Beijing, he held my hand firmly and said with a smile that he had visited Beijing before and had a good memory of his Beijing trips. He also spoke highly of China's rapid development. I was deeply impressed by his humility and graceful manner.

The extensive popularity of Mandela is closely connected with his care for the hardships of black people. In December 1994, as deputy director of Chinese Research Center (CRC) in South Africa, I was invited to attend the 49th national congress of the African National Congress (ANC). When Mandela approached the podium, the conference hall burst with cheers as all participants cried out his name, "Mandela."

Mandela gave a speech in which he promised that the new South African Government would rebuild and develop the country, addressing problems such as housing, education and employment. Mandela called for all South Africans to unite to achieve a new set of goals for the country.

When the opening ceremony concluded, Mandela was surrounded by the crowd. All the congress representatives scrambled to shake hands with their leader. The scene lasted for more than half an hour.

I still remember clearly a meeting with Mandela at his office on August 9, 1993. His voice sounded strong and powerful. He said China had been supporting the South African people in their anti-apartheid endeavor since the 1950s, having provided the ANC all the aid that it could. He said both sides will continue to cherish such friendship between the ANC and China. Mandela also candidly talked with me and my colleagues about his prior trip to China's Taiwan. He said that he refused to set up an ANC office in Taipei as requested by the Taiwan authorities but would like to have such an office in Beijing.

Mandela said to us that as international organizations such as the UN and the Organization of African Unity did not have official relations with Taiwan authority, the ANC would also keep the same policy on the issue. I showed my appreciation for his remarks. At the end of the meeting, I asked him to take a group photo with us. He readily agreed. The meeting revealed Mandela's characteristic open-mindedness and courage. Our interaction convinced me that he highly valued the traditional friendship between China and the ANC, showing that these official relations were an irreversible trend.

On November 26, 1996, at a lunch with Gu Xin'er, one of my colleagues and former director of CRC in South Africa, Mandela confirmed that he had made a decision to break off official ties with Taipei no later than the end of 1997, and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC).

On January 1, 1998, the PRC and South Africa announced the establishment of an official diplomatic relationship. Mandela had no doubt played a crucial role in the event. In May 1999, Mandela, as South African President, made a state visit to China.

Mandela remained indifferent to fame and wealth in spite of the love and adoration he received as a political figure. After serving as the first president of the new South Africa with the blessing of the people, he chose to withdraw from politics after his five-year term rather than run for office a second time.

(The author is former Chinese Consul General in Cape Town, South Africa)