South Africans called it the “Madiba magic” after his clan name — Nelson Mandela’s quirky mix of grandeur and simplicity, his ready quips, his ability to relate to the poor, his colourful custom-made shirts and his dancing prowess.

Unionist and loyalist politicians were today heading to South Africa for talks aimed at producing a single unionist vision for Northern Ireland’s peace process.

Northern Ireland’s political parties need to negotiate a Good Friday Agreement Mark Two if the problems in the peace process are to be overcome, it was claimed today.