JOHN BOWES, of Galmpton Cross, Kingsbridge, writes:

May I congratulate your young academy correspondent on their well researched article on Mandela. The writers interest in the recent history of South Africa is commendable. I am fairly sure that at his/her age my interests and abilities would not have been sufficient to have composed such a article.

However, I must take issue with his/her inclusion that 'Mandela' is a villain and a hero.' This shows the naivete which may be forgiven because of the youth of the correspondent.

During his 27 years detention Mandela was fed slops, not allowed to wear sunglasses despite working long hours in the blinding light of a South African limestone quarry, not allowed to attend his son's funeral or to see his wife, who was confined to a remote part of the country and subjected to many other of the indignities of the apartheid regime.

Yet he emerged preaching reconciliation and not retribution. Remarkable. How many of us could have endured such treatment yet emerged with an undamaged spirit?

During my time in Kingsbridge School I was 'proud to wear a 'Free Nelson Mandela' badge. The fact that the American government and a British prime minister called him a terrorist says more about their politics than it does about Mandela.

During my time in South Africa I witnessed how non-white's were not allowed to ride with whites on public transport, had to use separate toilets, were barred from 'whites only' beaches and in Cape Town Market I saw destitute Africans who were foraging for discarded fruit and vegetables in the bins being driven away by white stallholders who pelted them with rotten fruit.

This was the reality of Mandela's homeland. He may have had some human frailties but he saw the big picture and resolved to fight for fairness for all. I would unhesitatingly elect him as the leading statesman of the 21st century.

Finally may I commend the young journalist to read 'Goodbye B. by James Gregory who was Mandela's jailer. They may then see that Mandela may not have been perfect but he was no villain.