Trinis wait to welcome Mandela

Whether by accident or design, Nelson Mandela’s delayed arrival wiped out Government’s input into the very tight  programme, leaving the Concacaf aspect entirely intact. Mandela, who  was originally due to arrive in Trinidad and Tobago at 3 pm yesterday, was  later due to fly in at 9.30  last night, some seven and a half hours later than scheduled. Thousands who had planned to line the Eastern Main Road and Frederick Street to get a glimpse of the South African legend in the flesh were disappointed since they were deprived of a vital opportunity to see him.

Many leading ladies who were invited to the State dinner to be held in Mandela’s honour at President’s House last night, were at hairdressing salons and beauty parlours when they received word that he was not going to be at the function. Government’s input into Mandela’s itinerary, which involved a procession from Piarco along the Eastern Main Road and then up Frederick Street, was thrown completely off the map. Concacaf had strenuously resisted this State drive from the airport into Port-of-Spain  and had always argued that Mandela should go straight from the airport to the hotel for rest. Mandela who is 86 years old, is very feeble.

Concacaf representative, Terry Joseph, said yesterday that there were two reasons for the delay in Mandela’s flight — the fact that the aircraft had to be checked for the long ride and the crew needed time to rest. Joseph stressed that the arrival time of 3 pm was “always speculative.” Sources noted that Concacaf officials had indicated since last week that Mandela was unlikely to arrive in daylight. Joseph said the first information received yesterday was that the Mandela was coming in at 2 am this morning. He said Jack Warner was able to persuade Mandela’s people to advance the time to 10.30 pm. “We are just grateful he can come at all,” Joseph said.

Noting that Mandela has a minimum mandatory rest period, he said officials were still in the process of adjusting today’s programme which is hectic. It includes a courtesy call on Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, a visit to the Cyril Ross Nursery, a rally at the Oval, a luncheon and a dinner. The massive rally at the Oval will be the only big public event. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend the rally, which is scheduled for 11 am today. The State dinner at President’s House, which was due to be held last night, went on as planned without its main guest of honour. Archbishop Desmond Tutu who arrived in Trinidad and Tobago at 4.35 pm yesterday attended. The arrival of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was also due to attend the dinner, was delayed to 11 pm last night.