Conversations with Myself (31 page)

49. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

On voting day, an elderly African lady from the Northern Transvaal, as it was then known, told the election official at the polling station that she wanted to vote for the boy who came from jail. Although she mentioned some name, she did not know to which organisation he belonged. After interrogation, the polling station was able to sort out the problem to her satisfaction.

50. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

The fighters of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) displayed unrivalled courage and infiltrated the country, attacked government installations, and clashed with apartheid forces… now and again, putting them to flight.

Other freedom fighters worked inside the country either above or underground, urging the masses to rise and resist all forms of oppression and exploitation. They braved the brutality of the regime regardless of what happened to themselves. For liberation they were ready to pay the highest price.

Still others languished in apartheid jails, fearlessly asserting their right to be treated as human beings in their own motherland. They literally dug themselves in[to] the lion’s den, demonstrating once again, the universal principle that the freedom flame cannot be smothered by evil men.

Suddenly in April 1994 the same fire-eaters who had mastered the art of resistance, and who had worked relentlessly for the total destruction of white supremacy, without any previous training and experience in governance, were entrusted with the awesome task of governing the most advanced and wealthy country on the African continent.

The unprecedented challenge was to restore the human dignity of all our people by removing all forms of racial discrimination, introducing the principle of equality in every sphere of our lives.

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Mandela’s notes from his first session of parliament as president of South Africa, 25 May 1994.

This was the momentous challenge facing our pioneers in democratic government. This was the major rubicon to cross for the former freedom fighters who had preached ungovernability, boycott and sanctions. Now the former terrorist had the task of uniting South Africa, of implementing the core principle of the Freedom Charter which declares that South Africa belongs to all its people, black and white.

51. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Good leaders fully appreciate that the removal of tensions in society, of whatever nature, puts creative thinkers on centre stage by creating an ideal environment for men and women of vision to influence society. Extremists, on the other hand, thrive on tension and mutual suspicion. Clear thinking and good planning was never their weapon.

52. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

The apartheid regime had put law and order in disrepute. The human rights of the majority of the population were ruthlessly suppressed, there was detention without trial, torture and murder of political activists, open criticism of the Appeal Court judges who were independent and gave judgement against the regime, and the packing of the judiciary with conservative lawyers. The police, especially the Security Branch, were [a] law unto themselves. Because of this crude practice, and out of my own convictions, I exploited every opportunity to promote respect for the law and the judiciary… in the new SA there is nobody, not even the President, [who] is above the law… the rule of law generally and in particular the judiciary should be respected.

53. FROM A PERSONAL FILE

The President and two Deputy-Presidents, the Ministers of Defence and of Safety and Security, Generals Georg Meiring and Van der Merwe should be briefed by the National Intelligence Service at the earliest possible convenience on the following issues.

1) Were any documents containing intelligence material destroyed or intelligence information wiped off from computers during the period 1 February 1990 and 31 May 1994?

a) If so, what [were] the… full particulars of such material or information

b) The dates of such destruction or wiping off

c) The name or names of the persons who authorized such destruction or wiping off.

2) Does the State Security Council and its structures, like the Joint Management Committees, still exist?

a) If so, who are the members of such State Security Council and Joint Management Committees?

b) If not the exact details of when they were dismantled

c) A list of members before they were dismantled

d) The purpose of the State Security Council

e) What happened to its funds and equipment

3) A list of the organisations on which a list of the agents… who penetrated organisations or institutions spied upon.

4) Does the Civilian Cooperation Bureau still exist? A detailed explanation of its structure and personnel must be furnished.

a) If not, when was it dismantled?

   What happened to its funds and other equipment?

5) Does the Directorate of Covert Collection still exist?

a) If so, who are its members?

b) It not, when was it dissolved?

c) What happened to its funds and equipment

6) The original copy of the Report of General Pierre Steyn must be supplied.

a) Precisely for what criminal acts were several senior officers of the army dismissed or asked to resign as a result of that report?

7) Does the Vlakplaas Unit continue to exist
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Who were its members and [what] has happened to them. What was or is its purpose before, if it continued [or] dismantled what happened to its funds and equipment.

8) Detailed information on the operations of hit squads in the country. Is this correct? What were they paid according to Goldstone Report members of the V [Vlakplaas] Unit

54. FROM A NOTEBOOK

Mood of confidence and hope (Middelburg)

Various sources have made encouraging assessment of the performance of govt.

Review of 1995 and outlook for 1996 positive – media

Hope for future continues to be the dominant mood.

Completed or completing process of planning and visible delivery and speeding up change.

Transformed local govt where people are governed

Business confidence grown – SA started experience a net out-flow of capital in 1985; Continued for period of 9½ years up to 1994 –

R51,7 billion left the country.

Situation changed dramatically after 10 May 1994. Net capital inflow experienced –

From middle of 1994 to end of 1995 net capital inflow estimated at R30 billion.

By end of 1995 Reserve Bank had repaid all its short term foreign loans.

Public confidence growing

63% = 66%

Breaking into areas once far beyond reach

55. FROM A PERSONAL FILE,
c.
1996

Trail of blood in Tvl since July 1990 or 1991

Sebokeng ±32

Krugersdorp – 36

Sebokeng – 200

Soweto and JHB – 45 + 9

Meeting with De Klerk over Sebokeng 1990 –

He never issued any condolence.

No arrest. 800,000

56. FROM A NOTEBOOK

1) Phone Ted

2) Kofi Annan

3) Jakes Gerwel
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4) Oprah Winfrey

5)
Elastic socks

57. FROM A PERSONAL FILE

Mum Gra’s [Graça Machel] worldwide travels have been a source of concern to me for some time now, and it will be a real relief when her contract with Unicef expires at the end of the year, when she will be able to devote her outstanding abilities to the people, especially the children of Mozambique.

She returned to SA [South Africa]… on /8/96 where she and her colleagues were finalizing their report to the UNO [United Nations Organization].
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She lived with us, as usual, until 8/96 when she left for Mozambique. I cannot describe my joy and happiness to receive the love and warmth of such a humble but gracious and brilliant lady.

But modern inventions enable us to remain in contact even when she is abroad. It gives me unbelievable comfort and satisfaction to know that there [is] somebody somewhere in the universe on whom I can rely especially on matters where my political comrades cannot provide me.

58. FROM A PERSONAL FILE

As usual after 9 pm granddaughter Rochelle sits on my bed after giving me my eye treatment. I expect a few kind words from her before she kisses me ‘goodnight’. Instead she drops a bomb. ‘Granddad’ she says ‘I must give you a report which will leave [you] completely devastated. It is not the type of thing you expect from me… as a result I will leave home immediately and settle elsewhere. You have always stressed the importance of education generally and specifically with regard to myself and the Thembu Royal House, whose performance in this regard has always been less than mediocre. You have given me full support in this regard. You will always be in my thoughts Grandpa. But I am leaving home to settle elsewhere.’ Although courteous throughout, she spoke fearlessly and clearly.

I was stunned and could not believe it was my own grandchild who was tearing my heart apart. She has always been most meticulous in looking after me, taking off my shoes and socks before I retired to bed, telling me beautiful stories, enquiring what time I wanted my breakfast the following morning.

59. FROM A PERSONAL FILE – DRAFT NOTES ON ST VALENTINE’S DAY IN ANSWER TO A SCHOOLGIRL’S ENQUIRY INTO WHAT THE DAY MEANS TO HIM

Age and a conservative cultural background do not make it easy for me to discuss in public such intimate feelings or emotions. This is specially the case when the question is asked by one young enough to be a grandchild. It might well be that if one attempted a definition which departs from that which appears in the standard dictionaries, and bearing in mind the main forms of civilization of the world, they may be as many definitions as there are human beings.

I would hope that the average individual experiences one of the highest levels of emotional attachments satisfaction and happiness when in love…

It will probably shock many people to discover how colossally ignorant I am about simple things the ordinary person takes for granted. Having been born and grown up in a rural environment with parents who could neither read nor write, one hardly ever heard about Valentine’s Day.

Moving to the cities one was gradually drawn into mainstream politics, and there was little room for upgrading oneself with information on such issues. Only during the last five years did I receive Valentines cards and gifts. But one must naturally develop enormous respect for those who bring happiness to others anonymously far from the limelight.

Unfortunately my tight programme does not allow me to find time to celebrate Valentine’s Day either today or in the future.

Many of today’s younger generation are independent and clear thinkers with their own set of values. It would be… most presumptious for a man of 78 to advise them on how to handle relationships. Moreover, this is not a question of [advice] but of social conditions. Give the younger generation opportunities for education and better their lives, they will glitter with excellence.

I would think that people who subscribe to the same values, who share a common vision and who accept each others’ integrity have laid a basis for a good relationship. But to this there will be a wide range of notable exceptions.

60. FROM A NOTEBOOK,
c.
1996 ABOUT PLANS TO DEVELOP ROBBEN ISLAND INTO A MUSEUM

Robben Island

Dpt [Department] of Art, Culture etc

Independent structure

Beyond range of ordinary

Human desire to exploit

Tourists destruction

Museum must be a source of

Inspiration not money

Special Board of Trustees

61. FROM A NOTEBOOK

1.

Engagement elsewhere: wish well

2.

Ireland has been in limelight throughout its history

3.

Never difficult to identify who started trouble. But we soon reach stage where neither party is altogether wrong or right.

4.

Indictment of Irish leaders that they are not capable of solving their own affairs.

62. FROM A PRESIDENTIAL DIARY

Monday 29.12.97: Left Qunu for C.T. [Cape Town] but cancelled attendance to Franklin Sonn’s daughter’s wedding because of severe sciatica attack on right leg.
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