My history: 'I met Nelson Mandela when I was young'

Jul 30 2008 Staines News

Judi Linney, 62, moved to New Haw 36 years ago after coming from South Africa in 1964. She has been living in Woodham Park Road, Woodham, with her husband Howard, 64, since 1983.

She has worked as a mid-wife, nurse, a director of public health for the NHS and is the president of the Twins and Multiple Birth Association (TAMBA), and was made an MBE in June.

Judi has twins herself, now in their 30s, Zareena, and Shareen.

What bought you to Surrey?

"In South Africa there was the apartheid regime and black people were not allowed certain jobs, so the best course of action was to come abroad, which I did about 40 years ago. I wanted to do medicine but couldn't afford it so I decided to do nursing. I got a job at St Helier hospital in Surrey, so Surrey is very close to my heart."

How did your childhood influence your life?

"My youth was spent going on a lot of forward marches against apartheid, and as a child I was very aware of people and wanted them to have their own power, and a good health service.

"I met Nelson Mandela when I was young, and I would say he gave me the inspiration to try and make a difference in people's lives."

What hobbies have you kept since you were young?

"I love reading and love cooking, especially lovely Indian food, which I have been doing from a very very young age. When I was young in South Africa there very few restaurants we were allowed to go to, which is another reason I love Surrey. The wonderful thing is being able to vote, which I will always do in this country, because in South Africa it wasn't allowed."

What do you love about the area?

"I love Surrey, and my husband says I am more Surrey than the people that were born here. I have made lots of friends here and go walking in the area quite a lot."