He hugged and kissed several of the children in the audience and also made a brief appearance on the Town Hall's balcony for the benefit of those who couldn't attend the meeting. Pres. Mandela received a thundering applause from the audience, mainly ANC supporters, when he entered the Hall from backstage. Before Pres. Mandela took the stand, Natalie Brown of the ANC Student branch handed him a bouquet of flowers. Many locals were unfortunate not to gain entrance to the packed hall. They were clearly upset and banged against the doors and windows of the Town Hall. Local ANC vice-chairman, Franklin Adams, managed to calm them, preventing calamity.

Pres Mandela compensated by appearing on the balcony of the Town Hall to talk to those waiting impatiently outside. After seeing their President many youths jubilantly toyi-toyied in the street. Rev Simon Adams opened the meeting with prayer. Mr Moosa Patel of the local ANC also said a prayer before Pres Mandela arrived.

Eikestadnuus, 30 September 1994 (page 3)