In October 1998, I was the master of ceremony for the release of Census 1996. President Nelson Mandela was speaking on the occasion. From prospects of the rivers of blood to a negotiated settlement, Mandela provided us with a map of what had to be negotiated and what remained for us to do.

He said: “We have brought about this miracle. When you go to the world, you need just to say, I am a South African, whether you are black or white, and the doors of this world become wide open to you. That is a reality. I want you to understand that! The leaders of this country, when they go abroad, are fêted.”

On a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg around March 2010, I was travelling with Professor Akiiki Kahimbaara, a senior member of staff at Statistics South Africa.

It was perhaps the silky grey hair of the professor that drew attention to our conversation to one of the most successful footballers, not only in South Africa but the world.

The maestro Quinton Fortune decided to approach us and take part in the discussion of the plight of the youth.