Conversations with Myself
Page 33
14. Chancellor House was the building in which Mandela and Oliver Tambo started their own law practice, Mandela and Tambo, in 1952.
15. The Mai Mai Market is Johannesburg’s oldest and foremost market for traditional medicines.
16. Mandela and Oliver Tambo were two of the 156 members of the Congress Alliance arrested and charged with high treason in 1956, see People, Places and Events.
17. Nonyaniso Madikizela. Winnie’s sister.
18. Mandela is referring to his decision in 1961 to go underground and form MK.
19. Nomfundo (Mfundo) Mandela, Matso (Motsobise) and Bazala Biyana, and Thamie and Andile Xaba: cousins of Mandela’s children. Nombeko Mgulwa: distant relation. Mpho and Thabo Ngakane: children of close family friends.
20. Joyce Sikhakhane, see People, Places and Events.
21. Re roba matsoho is a form of congratulation in Setswana.
22. Satyandranath (Mac) Maharaj, see People, Places and Events.
23. Tim Maharaj. Mac Maharaj’s first wife. For Mac Maharaj, see People, Places and Events.
24. George Bizos, see People, Places and Events.
25. Prison censors often cut words, sentences and paragraphs that they found offensive out of the letters.
26. Winnie was sentenced for violating her ban by being in the company of another banned individual.
Chapter Nine: Accommodated Man
1. Mandela wrote the autobiography in secret and Ahmed Kathrada and Walter Sisulu would check it for factual inaccuracies. Mac Maharaj and Laloo Chiba would then transcribe the work in tiny writing onto thin sheets of paper.
2. Billy Nair, see People, Places and Events.
3. An alliance of anti-apartheid organisations made up of the ANC, SAIC, COD and the CPC.
4. Prisoners were classified according to four grades ranging from A to D; A-grade prisoners received the most privileges. On arrival, the political prisoners were grade D, meaning they could receive and write only one letter and see only one visitor every six months.
5. Rosalynn Carter (1927–). Married to President Jimmy Carter.
6. Mantatisi (1780–1826). Regent of the Batlokwa (Sotho), 1813–26.
7. Dr Ayesha Arnold (d. 1987) was a friend in Cape Town whom Zeni and Zindzi stayed with when they visited Mandela in prison. She wrote to Mandela and sent him food.
8. Black As I Am was a collection of poems published when Zindzi was sixteen years old and dedicated to her parents.
9. Thorobetsane Tshukudu was a made-up name for Adelaide Tambo (Tshukudu was her maiden name), see People, Places and Events. Mandela didn’t want to alert the authorities that he was writing to the Tambos, who were in exile in the UK, and the letter was sent care of Winnie.
10. Oo-thobela sikutyele is an isiXhosa phrase meaning one who takes advantage of you if you are vulnerable or gullible.
11. Zenani (Zeni) Mandela, see People, Places and Events. Married Prince Thumbumuzi (Muzi) Dlamini, a son of King Sobhuza of Swaziland, in 1973.
12. The Black Consciousness Movement was an anti-apartheid movement targeting black youth and workers, see People, Places and Events.
Chapter Ten: Tactics
1. Frank Chikane (1951–). Cleric, anti-apartheid activist, writer and public servant. Member of the ANC.
2. Sheena Duncan (1932–2010). Anti-apartheid activist. Leader of Black Sash, a white women’s anti-apartheid organisation. Mandela wrote this letter to her on the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Black Sash.
3. Samuel Dash (1925–2004). Board member of the League of International Human Rights. Chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. Dash was the first American to interview Mandela in prison, in 1985.
4. Mandela is referring to his military training in Morocco in 1962.
5. Lord Nicholas Bethell (1938–2007). British politician, historian and human rights activist. Member of both the European parliament and assembly. He interviewed Mandela at Pollsmoor Prison in 1985.
6. Mandela had been sharing a communal cell with Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni and Ahmed Kathrada.
7. Dr Lukas (Niël) Barnard, see People, Places and Events. Thabo Mbeki, see People, Places and Events.
8. Alfred Baphetuxolo Nzo, see People, Places and Events.
9. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (1942–). President of South Africa (2009–).
10. Mandela wrote to Minister of Justice Kobie Coetsee in 1985, to request a meeting to begin discussing the possibility of talks between the government and the ANC.
11. The Freedom Charter, see People, Places and Events.
12. Victor Verster Prison is located between Paarl and Franschhoek in the Western Cape, see People, Places and Events.
13. Jack Swart was a prison warder who cooked for Mandela at Victor Verster Prison.
14. Members of the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) were engaged in a deadly battle for supremacy in parts of the country.
15. The notes were made by Mandela’s lawyer, Ismail Ayob, and were located in the ANC archives at the University of Fort Hare.
16. Harry (Mphephethe) Themba Gwala (1920–95). Teacher, politician and political prisoner. Member of the SACP. Member of MK.
17. Shaka ka Senzangakhona (1787–1828). King of the Zulus, 1816–28.
18. Shauna Bradley was a nurse at Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic.
Chapter Eleven: Calendar Time
1. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown (published 1970).
2. An earthquake had occurred on the mainland, causing most damage in the town of Tulbagh.
3. The government invited twenty-five journalists to Robben Island to dispel rumours about the mistreatment of political prisoners.
4. Following Winnie’s imprisonment in 1976, she was banished from Johannesburg to Brandfort in the Free State in 1977.
5. Mandela and the other imprisoned Rivonia trialists had decided that, due to Matanzima’s support of the Bantustan scheme, Mandela should not meet with him.
6. James Kruger (1917–87). Politician. Minister of Justice and Police, 1974–79. President of the Senate, 1979–80.
7. Zaziwe (Zazi) is Zenani’s daughter, Mandela’s granddaughter.
8. Zamaswazi (Swati) is Zenani’s daughter, Mandela’s granddaughter.
9. Minister of Law and Order Louis le Grange. Du Preez was commissioner of prisons.
10. Albert Bambilanga Mtirara. Ruler of AbaThembu.
11. The dedication in Black As I Am.
12. Lilian Ngoyi’s daughter.
13. Helen Suzman, see People, Places and Events.
14. Zobuhle is Zoleka Seakamela (1980–). Zindzi’s daughter and Mandela’s granddaughter.
15. Buthi (means ‘brother’, although not necessarily a blood brother). A male relation of Mandela’s from his home town.
16. Oupa Seakamela. Zindzi’s partner at the time.
17. The official Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1976.
18. The Bantu Education Act of 1953 legalised the separation of races in educational institutions.
19. Mandela was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding by the Government of India in 1979.
20. Mandela was nominated for the position of chancellor of the University of London in 1981.
21. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, see People, Places and Events.
22. Michael Foot (1913–2010). British Labour Party leader and writer.
23. David Steel (1938–). British politician and leader of the Liberal Party, 1976–88.
24. Anthony Bobby Tsotsobe, Johannes Shabangu and David Moise were all members of MK.
25. Solomon Mahlangu (1956–79). Member of MK. He was hanged.
26. Mabitsela was M K Malefane. Member of MK. He was staying at Winnie’s house.
27. Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge (d. 1981). Anti-apartheid activist, human rights lawyer and political prisoner. Member of ANC. He was murdered by the security police.
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8. Allister Sparks (1933–). Writer, journalist and political commentator.
29. Ngwenyama Sobhuza II (1899–1982). King Sobhuza of Swaziland. Zenani’s father-in-law.
30. Ngugi wa Thiong’o (1938–). Kenyan author.
31. Breyten Breytenbach (1939–). Writer and painter. Imprisoned in Pollsmoor Prison for seven years under the Terrorism Act.
32. John Jeremy Thorpe (1929–). British Liberal Party leader.
33. Peter Soal (1936–). Johannesburg city councillor and MP.
34. Selous Street was named after Frederick Courtney Selous (1851–1917).
35. George W Crockett, Jr (1909–77). Member of the US House of Representatives, 1980–91.
36. Transvaal Indian Congress, Council of Unions of South Africa, South African Allied Workers’ Union.
37. All members of MK who were executed for high treason.
38. Mandela grew vegetables on the rooftop at Pollsmoor Prison.
39. Archibald Mvuyelwa Govan Mbeki, see People, Places and Events.
40. ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ was a protest song written by Jerry Dammers of The Specials (released on the single Free Nelson Mandela / Break Down the Door, 1984).
41. Dumani Mandela. Makaziwe Mandela’s son and Mandela’s grandson.
42. Allan Hendrickse (1927–2005). Minister, teacher and Labour Party politician.
43. Marietjie van der Merwe. Wife of Harvey van der Merwe, a friend of Mandela’s.
44. Shenaz Meer. Daughter of Fatima Meer, see People, Places and Events.
45. Jimmy Cliff (1948–). Jamaican ska and reggae singer.
46. Sol Plaatje: South African Nationalist, Brian Willan (published 1984). Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, see People, Places and Events.
47. Mandela is referring to his study for his law degree.
48. Mandela’s height measures two centimetres taller than the previous measurement in December 1983, suggesting a lackadaisical attitude by the guards measuring him.
49. Sophie’s Choice (released 1982).
50. Amadeus (released 1984).
51. Olusegun Obasanjo (1937–). General of the Nigerian Army. President of Nigeria, 1999–2007. He was one of seven in the Eminent Persons Group, who were sent by the Commonwealth to investigate apartheid South Africa.
52. Possibly Boetie Gaan Border Toe (released 1984).
53. James Gregory (1941–93). Warder, censor and author of Goodbye Bafana (published 1995).
54. NoMoscow. Senior wife of King Sabata and mother of King Buyelekhaya. King Sabata Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo died in exile in Zambia.
55. Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang (released 1978). Electric Boogie (released 1983).
56. Tiaan van der Merwe. Progressive Federal Party MP.
57. Daliwonga is K D Matanzima.
58. Reverend Peter Storey. Methodist minister.
59. Revenge of the Nerds (released 1984).
60. Members of MK who were executed on 9 September 1986.
61. Nelson Title Mabuna (d. 1996). Imbongi. (An imbongi is a traditional praise poet.)
62. Dr James (Jimmy) Lowell Zwelinzima Njongwe (1919–76). Medical doctor and anti-apartheid activist. Cape president of the ANC. Constance (Connie) Njongwe (1920–2009). Nurse and anti-apartheid activist. Wife of Dr James Njongwe.
63. Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni and Ahmed Kathrada were now being held in the women’s section of Pollsmoor Prison.
64. John Barratt (1930–2007). National director of the South African Institute of International Affairs, 1967–94.
65. Nontancu Mabel Timakwe (née Mandela) (1924–2002).
66. Nomabandla Piliso (née Leabie) (1930–97). Zozo is Zindzi’s daughter and Mandela’s granddaughter, Zoleka, and Zondwa is Zindzi’s son and Mandela’s grandson, also known as Gadaffi (1985–).
67. One Zondwa is Zindzi’s son. The other is Zondwa Malefane, son of M K Malefane.
68. Lazar Sidelsky’s children.
69. Mandla Mandela (1974–). Makgatho’s son and Mandela’s grandson.
70. Mafu is Mafu Matanzima.
71. Princess Stella Sigcau (1937–2006). Prime minister of the Transkei, 1987, and a cabinet minister in post-apartheid South Africa.
72. Mamphela Ramphele (1947–). Academic, doctor and anti-apartheid activist.
73. Oscar Mafakafaka Mpetha (1909–94). Anti-apartheid activist, trade unionist and political prisoner.
74. Ndaba Mandela. Makgatho’s son and Mandela’s grandson.
75. Frederik Willem (F W) de Klerk, see People, Places and Events.
76. Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi, Jeff Masemola, Wilton Mkwayi and Oscar Mpetha were released five days later from Johannesburg Prison.
77. Gerrit Viljoen (1926–2009). Minister of Constitutional Development. He provided a framework for the government’s discussions with the ANC.
78. Jafta (Jeff) Kgalabi Masemola (1928–90). Political activist and political prisoner. Member of the PAC.
79. Rochelle Mtirara. Mandela’s granddaughter by tradition.
80. Cyril Ramaphosa and Murphy Morobe.
81. Mary Benson (1919–2000). Writer and anti-apartheid activist.
82. Reggie Vandeyar and Shirish Nanabhai were members of MK who became political prisoners.
83. Ntsiki is Albertina Sisulu.
Chapter Twelve: From a Polecat to a Miracle
1. Sam Ntuli (d. 1991). Assassinated member of the ANC. Mourners were murdered by gunmen at his funeral in Katlehong, East Rand.
2. Graça Machel, see People, Places and Events.
3. CODESA was a multi-party negotiating forum which started on 21 December 1991 at the World Trade Centre in Johannesburg.
4. Violence between supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the ANC led to thousands of deaths in KwaZulu-Natal from 1985 to 1995.
5. Twenty-eight ANC supporters were shot dead by soliders on 7 September 1992, during a protest march where 70,000 ANC supporters tried to enter a sports stadium in Bisho, Ciskei.
6. The National Peace Accord, negotiated by South African political organisations in 1991, aimed to prevent violence. The Goldstone Commission was established to investigate political violence and intimidation.
7. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (1952–). Tembisile (Chris) Hani, see People, Places and Events. Gertrude Shope (1925–). Ronnie Kasrils (1938–). Dr Raymond Suttner (1945–). Tony Yengeni (1954–). ANC leaders.
8. Chris Hani, see People, Places and Events.
9. Mandela is referring to Hani’s neighbour, who recorded Waluś’s licence-plate number and called the police.
10. Joaquim Alberto Chissano (1939–). President of Mozambique, 1986–2005.
11. On 26 March 1990 twelve people were killed and three hundred injured when police opened fire on a group of ANC protestors in Sebokeng, thirty miles from Johannesburg.
12. In 1993 Mandela proposed to reduce the voting age from eighteen to fourteen. The idea was rejected by the ANC Executive Committee.
13. Oliver Tambo, who had returned to South Africa in 1991 after three decades in exile, died of a stroke on 24 April 1993.
14. Nineteen boys had been murdered by a serial killer in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town.
15. Clarence Makwetu, John Nyathi Pokela, Edward (Eddie) Daniels, Dr Neville Alexander, Sathasivan (Saths) Cooper, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, George Peake, Dennis Brutus, see People, Places and Events.
16. Pieter Willem (P W) Botha, see People, Places and Events.
17. Ferdinand Hartzenberg (1936–). Originally a National Party politician, but helped to form the right-wing Conservative Party in 1982. Constand Viljoen (1933–). Former head of the apartheid-era defence force and leader of Freedom Front.
18. Eugène Ney Terre’Blanche (1941–2010). Founder of the far-right Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (or AWB) which was committed to the creation of a Boer/Afrikaner republic.
19. Johan Adam Heyns (1928–94). Theologian of the Dutch Reformed Churc
h.
20. ‘The Vlakplaas Unit’, a division of the counter-insurgency unit of the South African Police, was responsible for the torture and deaths of many anti-apartheid activists.
21. G J (Jakes) Gerwel, see People, Places and Events
22. In 1994 Machel was appointed by the United Nations to lead a study on the impact of armed conflicton children.
23. Franklin Sonn (1939–). Member of the ANC. South Africa’s ambassador to the USA 1995–98.
24. Kenneth (K K) Kaunda (1924–). President of Zambia, 1964–91. He was placed under house arrest for five months.
25. Shell House was the headquarters of the ANC in central Johannesburg.
26. Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe (1949–). Leading member of the ANC. Interim President of South Africa, September 2008 – May 2009. Deputy President of South Africa, 2009–.
27. Cheryl Carolus (1958–). Politician. Member of ANC. South Africa’s High Commissioner to London.
28. Queen Bongolethu Ndamase, mother of Ndamase Ndamase, the current ruler of a section of the AbaThembu.
29. Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Heir to the AbaThembu royal throne. Queen Noluntu Dalindyebo. Junior wife of King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo
30. The Azanian People’s Organisation, founded in 1978, was inspired by the Black Consciousness Movement and merged three banned organisations: the Black People’s Convention (BPC), the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the Black Community Programmes (BCP).
Chapter Thirteen: Away
1. Frene Ginwala (1932–). Journalist and politician. Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, 1994–2000.
2. Kweisi Mfume (1948–). Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
3. Brian Mulroney (1939–). Prime minister of Canada, 1984–93.
4. Pope John Paul II (1920–2005).
5. Francesco Cossiga (1928–). President of the Italian Republic, 1985–92.
6. In 1999, Mandela was appointed by the United Nations secretary-general as chief mediator of peace negotiations to bring an end to the civil war in Burundi between the Tutsis and the Hutus.
7. Following the 1988 Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, in which 270 people were killed, Mandela mediated with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to surrender Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi and his co-accused to the United Nations.