Former South African President Nelson Mandela Meets With Rev. Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson shakes hand with former South African president and ANC leader Nelson Mandela.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

November 22, 2010

Sen. Ellis meets with Nelson Mandela

The Rev. Jesse Jackson sits with Nelson Mandela. Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, standing behind Mandela, joined Jackson for a visit to South Africa this week.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, is in South Africa this week to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chief Albert Luthuli.

Chief Luthuli won the Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle against Apartheid and the policies of South Africa's white minority government. He began leading the African National Congress against Apartheid in the 1950s and became the first African to receive a Noble Peace Prize.

Ellis serves on the board of directors for Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition and is visiting South Africa with Jackson.

Jackson told the Digital Journal: "When Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace prize he could not immediately leave the country to receive it, it showed how barbaric apartheid was. Apartheid was a moral disgrace."

Jackson and Ellis visited with Nelson Mandela, winner of the 1993 Nobel Peace prize and the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison for his fight against Apartheid.

" I have had the chance to meet him many times since he was released, and I am always in awe of his grace and humility," Ellis said. "He is an icon with a heart of gold. He has a keen sense of humor and always puts people at ease.

"He is slowing down but keeps up with politics and sports," Ellis said, adding that Mandela focuses on his family. "He spoke a lot about his newest family addition. His grandson just had a child."

Ellis plans to arrive back in Houston on Thanksgiving Day.