Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud –Nelson Mandela. On a trip to South Africa last year, I bought a copy of “Long Walk to Freedom”, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, adapted for children, for six year old Aseye. I would have thought we had a great time reading: humble beginnings in Mveso and Qunu in the Eastern Cape and being named “Rolihlahla” meaning troublemaker, unceremonious departure from Forte Hare University under circumstances that were more puzzling and less disappointing, absconding the marriage graciously arranged by Uncle Jongi, teaming up with Oliver Tambo to form both the first black law firm and the Youth Wing of the African National Congress, and finally transitioning into a full blown armed anti-apartheid activist that would end in a 27 year incarceration followed by true “freedom and democracy for all South Africans”in a struggle that would absolutely define his life and stir the world. How could anyone, even a six year old, not be inspired? Today, as he lies critically ill in a Pretoria hospital, I felt obliged to revisit Madiba’s magic with Aseye. She remembered. Fortunately, her teacher, Miss Gyimah, had also done an excellent job of prompting them to pray for Mandela. I went on long enough until the poor girl snapped, “Papa, I know Mandela. He is very old and he is in the hospital. I don’t want you to tell me another story about Mandela again. It is too long. I want you to tell me a real story!” So much for educating the girl about great African heroes! In these trying times however, it is really to the subject of the South Africa he helped create and which I saw that I return, Aseye’s damning verdict notwithstanding. I was in Johannesburg at the invitation of Percy Mahlathi, Executive Director of the African Institute of Health and Leadership Development which was organizing its seminal Health Leadership Dialogue series. I shared Ghana’s experiences on the contribution of the private health sector in education and training. At dinner later that night, I met with the Honorable Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, his unbending passion and mission mindedness on the matter of achieving universal health coverage for all South Africans profoundly etched on my memory. It was unmistakable how South Africans appeared to categorize events into the pre 1994 and post 1994 years, which essentially translated into the pre and post Mandela Presidency in post-apartheid South Africa. I have sharp recollections of the confidence with which they spoke and of their undisguised affection for the rainbow nation. I recall the pride with which many giants spoke about their personal contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle. In one session, a white physician stood up and proudly declared, “I am Dr. X and I am an activist!” He then proceeded to speak eloquently about the ideals for the new South Africa that had defined the anti-apartheid struggle, and went on to lambaste some leaders of the ANC who he implied had compromised on these aspirations. This was one month after the gruesome slaughter of 42 miners by Police in what became known as the Marakana mine massacre. Cyril Ramaphosa, a champion of the struggle had apparently previously conducted himself in a less than optimal manner and he was clearly not in the good books of former comrades. Also, this white South African doctor knew far more about Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah than I cared to admit, embarrassing me in my ignorance. Above all, I liked the mentality of the people; black, white, colored. Color didn’t seem to matter. They all had what I called a world class mentality. These were obviously world class beaters who aspired not to be the best in either South Africa or Africa even, but to global world dominating excellence. They thought in terms of taking on and conquering the world. Here were scientists speaking the language of inspirational political leaders. I retain vivid memories of Prof. Bongani Mayosi leader of the 13-member Study Panel appointed by the Council of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to identify the barriers that are inhibiting clinical research in South Africa and to “make recommendations for the revitalization of clinical research that can be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Department of Higher Education and Training, and Department of Trade and Industry.” To them, it was all about applying scientific thinking in the service of society. Prof. Mayosi passionately recalled past South African Noble laureates in the Clinical Sciences. He compared previous performance to current scientific publication output. He examined what he called “the declining size and increasing age of the workforce actively engaged in clinical research, and the paucity of effective training programmes and unattractive career-pathing in the clinical research sector”. He compared South African government expenditure on clinical research to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) countries and defined what the government spending should be. He then announced the establishment of the National Clinical Scholars Programme to produce 500 PhDs over the next 10 years and to create 30 dedicated National Research Chairs for Clinical Science. I was simply struck by how well thought through the whole endeavor was and the sheer ambition to design a system to make South Africa recapture world class status in clinical research. As Madiba, fights for his life, there is this South Africa too that he can be proud of that strives each day to live beyond the curse of apartheid. I truly wish Madiba well! Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey www.sodzisodzi.com Sodzi_tettey@hotmail.com