The focus of Pieters recent presentation was: sharing memories of the significant moment when President Mandela met with President Bush.
Pieters background is as a diplomat over a 25 year period, primarily with the South African Government. Pieter spoke of the background leading up to the historic meeting between the two presidents which took place 16 years ago in 2005 in Washington.
Pieter was based in Washington Dc at the time wherein he had a focus on the Iraq war. He headed the Washington desk through to 2008.
Pieter conveyed that Mandela wished to visit Washington in May 2005 as his last official overseas engagement before stepping down from office and retiring. His visit was largely to negotiate financial aid for South Africa and to attend a number of engagements with organisations who wished to bestow various honours on him. Becoming aware of Mandela’s presence in Washington, Bush’s office then offered an official invitation for Mandela to meet with President Bush.
Pieter informed that Mandela had an opposing view on Americas involvement in Iraq being less favourable towards the US position. Mandela would only support the action against Iraq if it was sanctioned by the United Nations which had not occurred. He felt that Bush and Tony Blair Britain’s PM were undermining the United Nations. He also criticized the USA’s human rights record.
Bush’s position in 2005 was a President whose popularity was waning and his credibility was in decline. The US were losing military personnel and he was increasingly isolated internationally. The White House felt a meeting with Mandela would help Bush in the polls. Pieter also outlined that while Bush was known largely for the Iraq war he pushed through major aid packages for Africa through a bipartisan arrangement between Democrats and Republicans that was unprecedented in America’s overseas aid programme.

Mandela embarked on a grueling visit to the USA in 2005 wherein he received a raft of recognitions, awards and honoury degrees from cities, institutions and Universities culminating in his visit to the White House. Of some  surprise Mandela’s status as recorded by American intelligence of that of a ‘terrorist’ had to be lifted through diplomatic channels to permit him to gain entry to theWhite House. Bush welcomed Mandel who very quickly went off script as was his tendency and criticized Bush for his approach to Iraq and for surrounding himself with ancient warmongers as his advisors. Mandela provided a moral compass, stating that “as friends they could disagree, despite having a frank discussion…”
Pieter went on to note that following the White House meeting Barrack Obama was introduced to Mandela following an approach to Mandela’s staff. As the first Black man to attempt to run for the American Presidency, Mandela was pleased to meet with Obama who subsequently was elected to the office of the Presidency in 2009.
Overall a very informative and entertaining address from Pieter.