SOUTH AFRICA: PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA MEETS BASKETBALL LEGENDS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

Record ID: 170838

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA MEETS BASKETBALL LEGENDS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
  • Date: 26th June 1996
  • Summary: PRETORIA, STH AFRICA (JUNE 26, 1996) 1. EXTERIOR OF UNION BUILDINGS 2. VARIOUS GLOBETROTTERS PERFORM FOR NELSON-MANDELA 3. MANDELA WATCHES 4. MANDELA INTRODUCED TO GLOBETROTTERS BY MANNIE JACKSON 5. MANDELA SPEAKS AS NOTED (ENGLISH) 6. JACKSON SPEAKS AS NOTED (ENGLISH) 7. MANDELA RECEIVES JACKET 8. GLOBETROTTERS PERFORM TRICKS Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 11th July 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PRETORIA, STH. AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVAB96PZHP0X6QZ4CRA1CM9AATOA
  • Story Text: President Nelson Mandela has been made an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters during the team's tour of South Africa on Wednesday (June 27).

    The South African leader is only the fifth person to receive the honour in the team's 70-year history. The previous four recipients include entertainer, Bob Hope, former U.S. presidential aide, Henry Kissinger, basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and actor, Whoopi Goldberg.

    The Globetrotters put on a display at the Union Buildings in Pretoria before being introduced to the president.

    "You carry two great names; the globe and Harlem," Mandela said.

    "Few people who have watched the development of blacks in the United States of America do not know the significance of Harlem.

    The first time I went to the States I made sure I visited Haarlem and was able to touch the ground and the buildings there. It was like a revival ceremony." The Globetrotters chairman and owner, Mannie Jackson, later presented the president with a special jacket.

    "We invite you as one of the world's symbols of excellence, of leadership, of concern to children and an inspiration to all of us, to become the fifth honorary Harlem Globetrotter and a member of our family," Jackson said.


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