This time, as he put it, there were no bumps as he was received with open arms.

At a gathering of US lecturers and students in the HB Thom Theatre on Monday  night, the State president indicated that he had appreciated his "smooth" reception at the US, reminding the 400 strong crowd of the unpleasant circumstances under which his 1991 visit had taken place.

During the visit Pres Mandela had been verbally attacked and intimidated by rightwing students, but said on Monday night that it had reminded him of his younger days when he did the same at meetings.

His visit to the US this week was initiated by Matie student Mr Nils Flaatten, on behalf of the US Africa Political Society. Mr Flaatten is the chairman of this society, and was also an active NP delegate at the Stellenbosch Discussion Forum (SDF).

On learning of his initiative, the Rector of the US, Prof Andreas van Wyk, endorsed Mr Flaatten's idea.

Although the occasion was very formal, Pres Mandela was casually dressed in white slacks and a blue and white printed shirt.

Prof van Wyk immediately made an impression on the State President by welcoming him to US partly in Xhosa. President Mandela nodded and smiled showing his approval of Prof van Wyk's gesture.

Pres Mandela immediately applauded Prof van Wyk after he had read the written Xhosa paragraphs. He read the following in Xhosa: "For me, there definitely is one golden thread which has run though your public statements since your acceptance of reconciliation in our country, and of mutual respect among all our fellow citizens."

Pres Mandela in turn addressed the audience mostly in Afrikaans.

The newly elected chairman of the student Council, Mr André Serfontein, thanked Pres Mandela for the way he had been leading the country to reconciliation. "We, the youth are grateful to you because you have secured our future, " he said.

On receiving a gift from Mr Serfontein, on behalf of the US, Pres Mandela – in a light-hearted manner – said a word in Xhosa which literally means: " When you see me tomorrow please give me the same present."

Eikestadnuus, 30 September 1994 (page 2) ​