We remember your role in the struggle

Dear Winnie Madizikela-Mandela

As I feel the role you played in the struggle against apartheid has been downplayed (in the eyes of the western media), I've decided to redress the balance.

What is not widely known is how you kept Madiba's name alive throughout his imprisonment, at an enormous personal cost to yourself and your daughters. I'm not sure what you thought of Sophie Okonedo's depiction of you in Mrs. Mandela - I thought she did a remarkable job of conveying the harassment you were subjected to. I read your biography and I was struck by what your dedication to the struggle meant in sacrificial terms. I know you survived solitary confinement interspersed with interrogation sessions and a banning order, which undoubtedly left its mark - there's a scene in Mrs Mandela where Sophie Okonedo accurately portrays the inevitable transformation that took place.

Your courage, dedication, determination and sacrifice makes you a heroine in anyone's language. I do hope you've found the happiness you deserve and that you are at peace with yourself.

Yours in admiration.

Amandhla!

Don't dishonour the integrity of the man who made it happen

Players, officials and fans,

If any of you are tempted to cheat, feign injury, get another player sent off, award dubious penalties, fix a result or riot, DON'T!!

Remember the extraodinary sacrifice Madiba made for South Africa along with Steve Biko, Ruth First, Chris Hani, Chief Albert Luthuli, Govan Mbeki, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, Albertina Sisulu, Walter Sisulu, Jo Slovo, Oliver Tambo, Desmond Tutu, Donald Woods and countless others and, what that sacrifice cost him and his family.

Once the tournament is over, converge on the Waterfront in Cape Town and catch a ferry to Robben Island where Madiba spent eighteen of the twenty seven years that he was imprisoned. Once there, you'll be shown his cell and the narrowness of its confines will make you wonder how it was possible to retain one's sanity let alone one's humanity. You will also be shown the quarry where Madiba and others spent many hours chipping the limestone. You will be driven there in a bus with tinted windows, but even that won't stop the sun's glare from penetrating the air-conditioned interior and then you will understand why Madiba's eyesight is ruined. And after the tour is over, you will marvel at how one can experience all this and still retain one's humanity without bitterness or rancour.

So don't do anything to dishonour the sacrifice Madiba made, especially during this very tragic time - we all owe him that much.