Treasured photograph of Madiba vanishes

[caption id="attachment_95389" align="alignright" width="208"] Maria Frangopoulos[/caption]

A PHOTOGRAPH of veteran Port Elizabeth restaurateur Maria Frangopoulos shaking hands with statesman Nelson Mandela was stolen from Le Med Mediterranean restaurant in Richmond Hill last week.

Yesterday, Frangopoulos appealed to the thief to return the picture because it had sentimental value to her.

She said she hoped the whole thing was a prank.

The photograph was taken when Mandela visited the old Ranch Steak House during a stopover visit to the city in the early 1990s.

The former manager of Le Med and previous owner of the Cattle Baron in Sunridge Park said the picture had “great sentimental value” and served as a memory of her late husband, George, and of Madiba’s visit.

“I have absolutely no clue as to why someone would do such a thing. The picture really is a fond memory of the days when The Ranch was open. He was just such a wonderful person and that picture means so much to me,” she said.

“It was on display at Le Med as a showpiece for everyone to see. Who would have ever thought someone would walk out with it?

“I just hope this is a prank and the person will return it.”

Le Med co-owner Tony Jones said he suspected the picture might have been stolen by a Port Elizabeth businessman on Wednesday.

-Gareth Wilson