Conversations with Myself (25 page)

24 MARCH 1983

A.N.C. leader to get award: City College of N.Y. [New York] has awarded N.M. doctorate in law for ‘unselfish commitment to principles of freedom and justice’. Dr Bernard Harleston, president of varsity. ‘Award will be made in June.’

29 MARCH 1983

Zami invited to attend opening of Parliament in Bonn on 29 March by Die Grunenim [
sic
]. Sowetan reports. The street in Camden, North London, where the anti-apartheid movement has its new headquarters is to be renamed Mandela Street in honour of the imprisoned leader of the ANC. It is currently called Selous Street after the British explorer who helped Cecil John Rhodes bring Rhodesia under colonial rule.
³⁴

25 APRIL 1983

Mandela resolution: A liberal democrat has asked Congress to proclaim NM, the jailed leader of the ANC and his wife W, honorary United States citizens. Mr Crockett was supported by 12 of his House of Representative Colleagues when he introduced his joint resolutions – Mr Crocket.
³⁵
A resources centre for information on Southern Africa, which it is believed, will be the only one of its kind, is being planned to commemorate the work of Ruth First, who was killed by a letter bomb in Maputo last yr [year]. The main aim of the centre initially to be based at a British university will be to collect on microfilm all the historical, economic and sociological material on Southern Africa held in universities and institutions around the world.

21 MAY 1983

UDF [United Democratic Front] formed to fight govt’s [government’s] constitutional proposals – TIC, CUSA, SAAWU, SOWETO CIVIC ASSOCIATION and others.
³⁶
32 organisations–more than 150 delegates and observers adopted declaration forming UDF and pledging to fight the constitutional and reform proposals. Dr I. Mohammed chairman.

4 JUNE 1983

Herald: Dublin City Councillors have decided to erect a bust of NM to mark his ‘remarkable contribution to freedom’. Originally the request was to have him made a freeman of Dublin, but some councillors felt this would not be appropriate as he could not be present to carry the honour.

9 JUNE 1983

Simon Mogoerane, Jerry Masololi and Marcus Motaung hanged in Pretoria Central Prison
³⁷

14 JUNE 1983

Advocate Ismail Mahomed and attorney Ismail Ayob – legal consultation on living conditions in Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison

1 JULY 1983

Mrs Helen Suzman MP visits the section accompanied by Brig[adier]s Munro and Bothma. We acquaint her with our grievances and show her the yard and the single rooms under construction. Informed her that it was an honour to be awarded a doctorate by University of Brussels.

3 DECEMBER 1983

Weight stripped 76.8kg Height 1,78m about 5’10”

13 DECEMBER 1983

Archbishop Huddleston, president of AAM [Anti-Apartheid Movement], has unveiled a plaque in Leeds, Yorkshire, officially naming gardens in front of the city’s civic hall after jailed ANC leader, NM. The plaque, made of slate, describes M as ‘symbol of resistance to apartheid in SA’ and records a statement made by him. The unveiling ceremony followed a meeting in the City Hall at which several people spoke of M. A message from U.N. Secretary General Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar was also read.

16 JANUARY 1984

Planted carrots, beetroots and peanuts
³⁸

18 JANUARY 1984

Planted tomatoes in 2 separate trays

19 FEBRUARY 1984

Suppl. [supplementary] results delivered 2 visits with Zami from 8.45 am: dressed in white maxi with beautiful beadwork round the neck. She and Oupa to drive to Umtata tomorrow.

28 FEBRUARY 1984

Brig. Munro informs that K.D. [Matanzima] desires to meet me and Walter [Sisulu]. We remind K.D. of R.I [Robben Island] decision that the time is not appropriate for such a meeting.

1 MARCH 1984

Further meeting with Brig. Munro when I requested permission to write to OR [Oliver Tambo] and Govan [Mbeki] re proposed visit by K.D.
³⁹

7 MARCH 1984

CT. [
Cape Times
] reports that Zami will report to Madiba offer of release from KD.

8 MARCH 1984

Zami wearing a dark brown maxi and matching headgear reports on proposal from Daliwonga [Matanzima]. 2 visits of 40 minutes each. CT carried further reports. [Kobie] Coetsee states release not even under consideration.

10 MARCH 1984

CT. Madiba sees wife again and gives her response to KD’s offer.

12 MARCH 1984

CT. Leader of ANC, NM, rejects offer: he would defy any attempt to release him and restrict him to the Transkei: determined to return to his home in Soweto and will not stay in Transkei.

15 MARCH 1984

Madiba records sell well. Record calling for the release of NM has made a big impression on pop charts after only one week. ‘Free NM’ by the Specials – a multi-racial group – is No. 4 on Capitol Radio charts and no. 68 on the national charts.
⁴⁰

22 MARCH 1984

The sum of R49,40 sent to Time for renewal.

E.C.G. performed by Dr Le Roux – satisfactory – Trace of blood in urine. HBP 140/90

1 MAY 1984

Cape Times 1/5: The highly articulate Mrs M[andela]; who cannot be quoted under SA law because she is a banned person, held forth at length without mincing her words and she was heard and seen in May

12 MAY 1984

Zami and Zeni: have contact visit for the first time. 2 visits

18 JUNE 1984

Sowetan: Cuban President Fidel Castro has awarded one of Cuba’s most prestigious medals to NM, the leader of the banned ANC who has been in SA jail for 22 yrs. The Order of Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) was given to Mr Alfred Nzo, the G[eneral] Secretary of the ANC who is visiting Cuba. Mr Jesus Montane, deputy member of Cuba’s Politburo, said ‘M is the inspirational example of the indomitable spirit of resistance.’

23 JUNE 1984

Maki and Dumani for 40 minutes
⁴¹

16 JULY 1984

Cape Times. In a brief reference to ANC leader, NM, who is serving a life sentence in prison, Mr [Allan] Hendrickse said it was time he was freed.
⁴²
‘If he has done wrong, then he has certainly served his sentence,’ he said.

18 JULY 1984

Subscription for the ‘Star’ renewed for 6 months with effect from 84/03/03 Subscription R95.28

5 AUGUST 1984

Zami returns and takes 2 visits of 40 minutes each; brought by Marietjie.
⁴³
Zami reports that Shenaz has written several letters which I did not receive.
⁴⁴

12 AUGUST 1984

Sunday Express Review: Joubert Malherbe: Jimmy Cliff has vowed not to return to SA until it has majority rule.
⁴⁵
He said this during the annual NM festival at Crystal Palace Bowl in South London last week.

About 5,000 people streamed into the theatre to be treated to the sounds of Cliff, SA ace trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, a number of African bands, and the hard-hitting British reggae outfit, Aswad, who wound up the show

28 AUGUST 1984

Blood in urine. Another specimen taken by Maj Burger

30 AUGUST 1984

BP taken by Major Burger 140/80

5 SEPTEMBER 1984

Balance R560.77 Consultation with Dr Loubscher, urologist, tested urine confirmed presence of blood: X-rayed by Messrs Basson, Pienaar, etc. diagnose some kidney disorder but not certain of its identity: Further examination at Volkshospital [
sic
] tomorrow.

6 SEPTEMBER 1984

Put under scanning machine at Volkshospital [
sic
]. Discovered cyst on right kidney as well as on liver; that on kidney purely watery; in liver may be calcified. Further investigation in hospital arranged.

12 SEPTEMBER 1984

Admitted at Woodstock Hospital for investigation of renal problems

1 NOVEMBER 1984

BP 170/100 taken by Sister du Toit

Cape Times: How the ANC switched to policy of armed struggle. Andrew Prior. Dpt of Political Studies

14 NOVEMBER 1984

Sol Plaatje, SA Nationalist 1876–1932 (By Brian Willan)
⁴⁶

12 DECEMBER 1984

Results: failed all 6 subjects
⁴⁷

1 JANUARY 1986

Col Marx drives me out to the prison gardens. Spend 1½ hours inspecting the layout. Interesting bird life. Later joined by my 4 colleagues from the roof in my quarters where we had some snacks for about 1 hr.

4 JANUARY 1986

Driven out to the gardens by Lt. [Lieutenant] Barkhuizen. Spend 1 hr and bring back whole bag of tomatoes.

6 JANUARY 1986

1.11.85 weight 72 kg, Height 1,80 meters
⁴⁸

12 JANUARY 1986

Driven out to the gardens by Lt. Barkhuizen and spend an hr [hour] seeing various fields. Brig Munro gives instructions for us to keep away from the highway for security reason.

14 JANUARY 1986

Shifted to next door cell as own cell is being painted

23 JANUARY 1986

Informed that the application for plug, hot plate and electric kettle turned down, as well as request for permission to send book presents to doctors associated with the operation. See film ‘Sophie’s Choice’
⁴⁹

24 JANUARY 1986

Driven out by Brig Munro to the gardens after lock-up and then through western Tokai past a sprawling vineyard that stretches out to the foot of the mountain, past houses with wealth shining through the brick walls.

28 JANUARY 1986

Seen library films 1) Terrorists and Hostages; 2) Students in Moscow 3) Position of Maori women 4) Animation

31 JANUARY 1986

Commanding officer supplies me at 12.15 am with copy of President Botha’s speech. At 3.15 I have 40 minute consultation with 4 comrades from roof.

1 FEBRUARY 1986

Three-hr consultation with George [Bizos]. Will apply for consultation with all of us on 14.2. Request for him to shake hands with others refused.

5 FEBRUARY 1986

Zeni’s birthday celebrated by opening tin of mutton

40 minute interview with Tyhopho [Walter Sisulu]

7 FEBRUARY 1986

See 4 reels of Amadeus.
⁵⁰
Exciting story but the ending struck me as somewhat flat

12 FEBRUARY 1986

Spent a little over 2 hrs with [Raymond Mhlaba] Ndobe on the occasion of his 66th birthday. Have lunch together and shared a Xmas cake. Requested him to discuss with the other comrades our instructions to George Bizos.

21 FEBRUARY 1986

Had 80 minutes special visit from Zami and Zindzi. Minutes after the end of the family, visited by Brig. Munro. Spent another ±45 minutes with very important personage, Gen Obasanjo.
⁵¹
Prior to this saw film: ‘Boetie gaan grens toe’
⁵²
[
Brother Goes to the Border
].

5 APRIL 1986

Xhamela [Walter Sisulu] and I witnesses to the marriage of Dideka and Ndobe which was solemnized by Bishop Sigqibo Dwane assisted by Rev Mpumlwana in the presence of Mrs Sallie, Brig Munro and W/O Gregory
⁵³
Muzi and Zeni visit for 80 minutes

8 APRIL 1986

Zami and NoMoscow pay 40 minute visit and report death of Sabata the previous day.
⁵⁴
Zami to inform the family and to try to collect body from Lusaka.

15 APRIL 1986

Seen the tragic film ‘Paul Jacob and Nuclear Gang’ plus ‘Electric Boogie’ a baffling new dance.
⁵⁵

18 APRIL 1986

Seen film ‘Missing’ and the short 1974 Lions match against Springboks which Lions won by 12-3.

5 MAY 1986

Mrs Helen Suzman MP and Mr Tiaan van der Merwe visit me from 9.30 to 11.55.
⁵⁶
Have a wide-ranging conversation on political issues.

6 MAY 1986

Brig Munro informs me that Gen. [General] Venter would like to get more precise information re Bambilanga and Daliwonga
⁵⁷

16 MAY 1986

Interview with all members of E.P.G [Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group]

28 MAY 1986

‘I know why the caged bird sings’ by Maya Angelou

Library Film