As Chair of the South East Wales Regional Equality Council (SEWREC), Mrs Vernester Cyril OBE was nominated to meet President Nelson Mandela in Cardiff on June 16, 1998, where he was due to receive the Freedom of the City of Cardiff at a ceremony at Cardiff Castle. After meeting President Mandela, she wanted his autograph but unfortunately, didn't have a piece of paper. Mrs Cyril then wrote her name and address on a sheet of tissue paper and asked President Mandela's security guard to give it to him. She later received his autograph in the post.