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How the Daily Mirror, and my wife, got the first Mandela interview How the Daily Mirror, and my wife, got the first Mandela interview
(about 3 hours later)
Trevor McDonald, writing in yesterday's Sunday Times, said his interview with Nelson Mandela was "one of the most cherished memories of my journalistic life."Trevor McDonald, writing in yesterday's Sunday Times, said his interview with Nelson Mandela was "one of the most cherished memories of my journalistic life."
The ITN news presenter carried out the first broadcast interview with Mandela following his release from prison in February 1990.The ITN news presenter carried out the first broadcast interview with Mandela following his release from prison in February 1990.
But I'm proud to recall that my wife, Noreen Taylor, secured the first newspaper interview for the Daily Mirror. And, as the paper's editor at the time, I was only too delighted to publish her "world exclusive", which I headlined with his best quote: "To be a saint, you first have to be a sinner". But I'm proud to recall that my wife, Noreen Taylor, secured for the Daily Mirror the first newspaper interview. And, as the paper's editor at the time, I was only too delighted to publish her "world exclusive", which I headlined with his best quote: "To be a saint, you first have to be a sinner".
We got the interview because the Mirror's then owner (the late Robert Maxwell) had offered Mandela his plane to fly him from Johannesburg to London for the the "Free South Africa" concert at Wembley stadium.We got the interview because the Mirror's then owner (the late Robert Maxwell) had offered Mandela his plane to fly him from Johannesburg to London for the the "Free South Africa" concert at Wembley stadium.
In the event, the ANC rejected the offer in the belief that there were potential security and safety risks. So he and his wife, Winnie, took a scheduled flight instead, accompanied by Noreen.In the event, the ANC rejected the offer in the belief that there were potential security and safety risks. So he and his wife, Winnie, took a scheduled flight instead, accompanied by Noreen.
He had already spoken to her at length in his modest Soweto house. By chance, a young white theatre producer, David Meyer, turned up on Mandela's doorstep with his wife and children.He had already spoken to her at length in his modest Soweto house. By chance, a young white theatre producer, David Meyer, turned up on Mandela's doorstep with his wife and children.
Mandela took their 14-month-old son, Alan, into his arms and a grateful Mirror photographer, Nigel Wright, went into action. It gave me a memorable front page picture - an iconic image - and a headline, based on Mandela's desire to negotiate peacefully with the apartheid regime, "The hug of hope".Mandela took their 14-month-old son, Alan, into his arms and a grateful Mirror photographer, Nigel Wright, went into action. It gave me a memorable front page picture - an iconic image - and a headline, based on Mandela's desire to negotiate peacefully with the apartheid regime, "The hug of hope".
After the London concert, Mandela and his wife visited Maxwell's office. Along with Alastair Campbell, then the paper's political editor, I found myself making small talk with the couple.After the London concert, Mandela and his wife visited Maxwell's office. Along with Alastair Campbell, then the paper's political editor, I found myself making small talk with the couple.
As everyone who met him has been recalling over the past week, Mandela exuded charisma. But Maxwell, a man with a gargantuan ego, couldn't help but play the braggart.As everyone who met him has been recalling over the past week, Mandela exuded charisma. But Maxwell, a man with a gargantuan ego, couldn't help but play the braggart.
At one point, he put his arm around Mandela to guide him towards the end of the room in a conspiratorial manner. "Mr Mandela," I heard him say, "let me tell you how to negotiate… I have long experience of these things. I've negotiated with every president from Kennedy to Kruschev."At one point, he put his arm around Mandela to guide him towards the end of the room in a conspiratorial manner. "Mr Mandela," I heard him say, "let me tell you how to negotiate… I have long experience of these things. I've negotiated with every president from Kennedy to Kruschev."
I will never forget Mandela's gentle smile. Faultlessly courteous, he listened politely as Maxwell offered his unwanted advice. Mandela, as we knew then and were to learn in the months that led to the 1994 South African elections, needed no lessons in how to negotiate.I will never forget Mandela's gentle smile. Faultlessly courteous, he listened politely as Maxwell offered his unwanted advice. Mandela, as we knew then and were to learn in the months that led to the 1994 South African elections, needed no lessons in how to negotiate.
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