A youngster has met South African leader Nelson Mandela on a trip to his homeland.

Eight-year-old Mary Latimer, spent three months in South Africa with her mother, Joan, as part of a link between Chelmsford Community Church and the Xhosa churches.

She met President Mandela at a funeral in rural South Africa which was held at the home of Chief Ngubo Mcgotwelwa, a friend of her family.

It was through meeting him when he spent four months in Chelmsford before he became a chief that Mrs Latimer and her husband Derek decided they wanted to help African churches further.

Mary talked with him for some time and told him that she was there with her mother as part of a link between the churches of the two countries.

The link between the two churches was established by the leaders of the Community Church, Anne and Alan Willott, who have known Bishop Joseph Kobo, leader of the Xhosa churches, for six years.

The couple have also made several visits to preach in the 200 churches he is responsible for and the church is now officially linked with the church in Tshisabantu.

Mrs Latimer said: "Meeting President Nelson Mandela was one of the highlights. He really does have an air of dignity about him and it was a privilege to meet him."

Mr and Mrs Latimer have been invited by Bishop Joseph Kobo to help with administration and developing links between churches in the UK and South Africa.

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