Doctor publishes book on how Nelson Mandela changed his life

Nelson Mandela had such a profound influence on the life of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Professor Peter Friedland he decided to write a book about it.

Titled Quiet Time with the President: A doctor's story about learning to listen, the book outlines his life-changing relationship with Nelson Mandela.

Prior to joining SCGH in 2009, Peter spent most of his life and career in South Africa where he was the head of ENT at the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

It was while living in South Africa in 2001 that Peter received an unexpected call, political icon Nelson Mandela was struggling to hear.

It is no surprise that Peter felt apprehensive about visiting the former president at his home for the first time.

"I was nervous, this was an icon who had done so much for South Africa and the world, he was an idol of mine and someone I had looked up to," Peter said.

At that first meeting, Peter said he discovered Mandela's ears were blocked and that he was using outdated hearing aids, devices he had struggled to maintain after his time imprisoned for his fight against apartheid in South Africa and later whilst president of South Africa.

From that moment on, Peter would look after Mandela's hearing for close to a decade where they formed a strong bond. Mandela sharing stories and lessons learnt from his life at every meeting.

"He taught me about the spark of humanity in every single human being and to respect the dignity of their birthright irrespective of colour, creed, religion, nationality or sexual orientation" he said.

Unfortunately, violence continued to stir in South Africa, with Peter encountering violence on the streets and soon in his home. After the death of a close friend, Peter made the tough decision to move to Perth with his family in 2009.

Peter was apprehensive to tell his patient and friend, a person who had dedicated their life to the betterment of South Africa. However Mandela surprised him, showing no judgement and only offering parting wisdom when he told him the news.

Mandela told Peter of the time he had visited Australia and of the terrible mistake he had made. Mandela had arrived in Australia without knowing about its Indigenous history, and without seeking the blessing of Aboriginal leaders.

Mandela said to never use ignorance as an excuse and to make sure he thoroughly studies the places he went; to read about the Indigenous people, and to give them the respect they deserve.

He commenced work at SCCH in 2009, where he has greatly contributed to ENT services, and also works at Joondalup Health Campus.

Despite his achievements, Peter said Mandela's words continued to resonate, and he continued to look at other ways he could help improve the health outcomes of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Peter now runs an ENT clinic at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and he mentors Aboriginal students and provided ENT clinics in remote northern WA.

He provides hearing test services at Joondalup Health Campus with Telethon Speech and Hearing, which offers hearing screening and testing at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre.

"I was grateful for what my team had been able to achieve, but there is still so much work to be done in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander space" he said.

Peter is also the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Chair in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Western Australia and a professor at Notre Dame University.

Proceeds from the sale of his book in South Africa will go to hearing charity High Hopes and proceeds in Australia go to the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service.

An official launch of the book in Western Australia will be held on 29 August 2024.