Acknowledgement: This work has been summarized using the 1994 Little Brown
& Co. edition. Quotations are for the most part taken from that work,
as are paraphrases of its commentary.
Overall Impression: A deeply inspiring work by an authentic modern hero,
understandably slanted toward the noble original Africans.
PART ONE
A Country Childhood
Born July 18, 1918 in Mvezo to the
village chief Gadla Henry Mphakanqiswa and one of his wives, Nodekeni Fanny.
Named Rolihlahla ("pulling the branches of trees", connotes
troublemaker) Mandela, later acquired clan name Madiba and given Christian name
Nelson by first teacher.
His father was the son of Mandela of
the Ixhiba house, a lesser house of the Madiba clan of the Thembu, a Xhosa [or
Xhsa, pron. Koh' sa] speaking tribe. Mvezo is in district of Umtata in the
Transkei, 800 m east of Cape Town, in SE S Africa, between the Kei river to the
S, Indian Ocean to the SE, and Natal to the NE and bordered to the N by the
Drakenberg Mountains. NM speaks repeatedly of his love of its rolling hills and
fertile valleys. He was raised to be a counselor to the future king Sabata and
was not in line to be the hereditary king.
The Nguni are divided into the
Northern group (the Zulu and Swazi) and a Southern, the Xhosa consisting of the
amaBaca, abeThembu, etc. The Bantus are the larger linguistic subdivision
referring to the language spoken south of the line from Kenya to Cameroon,
migrants from the area of Niger and more easterly.
The rulers of the Thembu were
descended from the great monarch King/Chief Ngubengcka of the Great House, who
died 1832. He was succeeded by his son Mthikrakra, whose sons included
Ngangelizwe and Matanzima. A son of Ngangelizwe was Jongilizwe Dalindyebo (d.
in 1920s), who had sons Jongintaba Dalindyebo (the "regent", d. 1942,
father of Justice), Sabata (ruled 1954-), Dabulamanzi, Melithafa, Nxebo, and
Meliggili. Matanzima had descendent K. D. Matazima (Kalzer Daliwonga), who
later contested leadership against NM. The regent Jongintaba was appointed with
NM's father's urging, a favor he later repaid by taking on responsibility for
NM.
His father served like the PM of
Thembuland but was an appointed, non-hereditary leader, and lost his position
after a display of insubordination with the local white magistrate. This led to
increased poverty and NM's mother was forced to move to the village of Qunu
near Umtata when NM was an infant. Qunu was the village of NM's childhood. Most
of the fathers lived away, working in Johannesburg, and his mother tended the crops
of maize (corn or "mealies"), sorghum, etc. NM loved to stick fight,
fighting boys from other villages. Children were expected not to ask questions
of adults. Religion. The abaMfengu were the most educated and adapted to the
whites. His mother became a Methodist.
His father's abaMfengu friends the
Mbelkela brothers recommended that NM be sent to school and his parents
consented. He started at 7 y/o (1925) and was given the name Nelson by his
teacher.
His father died of a lung disease
1927 at 9 y/o. The regent Jongintaba volunteered to become his guardian and his
mother soon took him to the Great Place, Mqhekezweni, the provisional capital
of Thembuland and royal residence of Jongintaba Dalindyebo and his wife
No-England. It was a mission station of the Methodist church and therefore
Westernized. Chieftancy and Church dominated his life there. Reverend Matyolo.
Mission schools trained the blacks to become clerks, interpreters, and
policemen. NM became more religious there. He steals maize from Rev. Matyolo
and is punished.
Tribal meetings held there
demonstrated the democracy customary in Thembuland--consensus was emphasized.
But women were second-class citizens with no voting privileges. NM becomes
interested in history, learning about African heroes. Chief Joyi tells of
Ngangelizwe's heroism fighting the British and rails against the white man.
Joyi says the blacks lived in relative peace until the coming of the white man
and the shattering of their fellowship. The Dutch Jan Van Riesbeck arrived at
the Cape of Good Hope 1652.
He undergoes ritual circumcision at
16 y/o c. 1934, along with Justice and 24 others, to become a man and put aside
childish ways. It was performed by an ingcibi. He acquires his circumcision
name, Dalibunga. Chief Meligqili, a son of Dalindyebo, speaks about how the
Xhosa are a conquered people, enslaved in their own land, neglected by their
god Qamata.
Soon he goes to Clarkebury Boarding
Institute in district of Engcobo c. 1934, the highest institution of learning
for Africans in Thembuland. Taught by Rev. Harris, works in his garden. He is
mocked as a country boy initially but becomes friends with Mathona, his first
female friend.
He attends the Weslayan College at
Healdtown near Ft. Beaufort 1937 19 y/o, largest school for Africans S of
equator, also a mission school. Principal Arthur Wellington promotes English
ideals. Meets other language speakers incl. Sotho and begins to develop a wider
identity as an African, not just a Thembu or Xhosa. Takes up long-distance
running and boxing. Xhosa poet Krune Mqhayi visits, exhorts the students and
speaks boldly and anti-European about the clash between European and African
cultures. He galvanizes a new sense of African nationalism in NM but also makes
a confusing appeal to Xhosa identity.
In 1939 at 21 y/o, he moves on to
University College at Fort Hare in Alice municipality near Healdtown--it is the
only residential center of higher learning for blacks in SA. Gets his first
suit. Meets his older nephew K. D. Matazima, and learns from and looks up to
him. NM expresses generally favorable attitudes toward the missionaries, though
they held colonialist attitudes. Meets Prof. Z. K. Matthews and Prof. D. D. T.
Jabavu. Studies English, anthro, politics, native admin, and Roman Dutch law.
Wants to be a clerk or interpreter in Native Affairs. Elected to House
Committee. Does soccer, running, plays Lincoln and learns his speeches,
dancing. Meets Oliver Tambo, a science scholar.
After outbreak of WWII, deputy PM
Smuts advocates going to war against Germans. But Nyathi Khongisa, an ANC
[African National Congress] member, think Smuts is a racist. SA, a member of
the British commonwealth, declares war against Germany 1939 and Smuts becomes
PM.
Meets Paul Mahabane, son of Rev.
Zaccheus M., twice president of ANC. Paul stands up to racist white magistrate
who expects subservience.
Elected to Student Representative
Council but comes in conflict with Dr. Kerr and decides to resign. Dr. Kerr
tells him he must rejoin in order to return the following year.
The regent has arranged marriages
for him and Justice. They decide they must flee to Johannesburg to avoid the
marriages and NM's quandary at the school. They sell two of the regent's oxen
to raise money. Problems with requirement for native passes. Meet Chief Mpondombini
in Queenstown. They leave a trail of lies and deception, offending the chief. A
friend's mother drives them into J. Arrive 1941.
PART TWO
Johannesburg
Gold mining at Witwatersrand (a
ridge or reef S of J.) is a major draw for workers. Meets mining headman
Piliso. Regent wants them returned but they refuse. Meet Dr. A. B. Xuma,
president general of the ANC. More lies. Arrested for possession of NM's
pistol. Meets Walter Sisulu, who runs a real estate office and helps him land a
job with lawyer Lazar Sidelsky as an articled clerk. Moves in with Rev. J.
Mathubo of the Anglican Church. More lies lead to his having to depart and move
in with nearby Xhoma family. He continues to work at night with UNISA (Univ. of
SA) to earn his BA. Meets fellow employee Gaur Radebe, a member of the ANC and
prominent member of the communist party (CP). NM now 23 y/o. Sidelsky warns him
to avoid politics. Nat Bregman becomes his first white friend and tries to
convert him to communism, takes him to many meetings, which were mixed racial
gatherings. Meets Michael Harmel.
Leads a life of exhilarating
relative freedom and poverty in Alexandra Township, where Africans could own
property. First place he has lived away from Transkei. Goes hungry. Early
loves: Phyllis Maseko, Ellen Nkabinde (a Swazi), and Xhoma's daughter Didi.
Regent visits without showing signs
of acrimony toward NM, but Justice initially refuses to return home.
NM moves in 1942 to the
Witwatersrand Native Labor Association (WLNA) compound, which was free. Experiences
many new tongues there: Falagalo (an amalgam), etc. Meets visiting chiefs incl.
Mabtsebo Moshwesgwe from Lesotho (then Basutoland). His queen criticizes NM for
failing to learn the languages of his people--they are one people with multiple
languages. He has a growing sense of African unity and solidarity.
Regent dies 1942, Justice takes his
place as chief. NM passes exam for BA through UNISA. Graduation attended by his
mother, No-England, and K. D. Matanzima (Daliwonga). He wants NM to return to
the Transkei, but NM knows he is moving toward a different and broader
commitment to the people of SA as a whole.
Gaur says the ANC is the engine for
change and favors revolution. In Aug. 1943, he participates in Alexandra Bus
boycotts. Gaur resigns from law firm to allow NM to progress in getting
articled.
In 1943, enrolls at U of the
Witwatersrand in atttempt to earn LL.B. as the only black law student.
Encounters mixed racist and liberal attitudes. Did poorly academically.
White friends: Meets Joe Slovo, an
ardent Communist with his wife Ruth, both children of Jewish immigrants. Also
George Bizos (from Greek immigrants) and Bram Fischer (of Afrikaner stock).
Tony O'Dowd, Harold Wolpe (CP members). Jules Browde.
Indian friends: Ismail Meer (became
key member of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), J. N. Singh (in CP), etc.
Arrested when trying to ride a train with them though not allowed as a black
"kaffir". Defended by Bram Fischer and promptly acquitted.
PART THREE
Birth of a Freedom Fighter
Discussion of abuses of government,
segregation, indignities. ANC creates a charter, African Claims. Walter's house
is a mecca for activists. Meets Anton Lembede (a Zulu from Natal), who lectures
against the black inferiority complex and for "Africanism", advocates
the melting away of ethnic differences, sees Afrikaner nationalism as a
prototype for African (black) nationalism, the only antidote for foreign rule
and imperialism. Sees British paternalistic colonialism as an illusion, favors
militant African nationalism. Also meets A. P. (Peter) Mda, who is more
practical. Also meets Dr. Lionel Majombozi, Victor Mbobo, William Nkomo (med
student, CP), Jordan Ngubane, David Bopape (secy of ANC and member CP).
Dr. Lionel Majombozi promotes
formation of a more activist Youth League of the ANC. He and a contingent with
NM go to Dr. Xuma, head of the ANC, to promote this idea, but he opposes it,
but they form it anyway Easter 1944. Lembede is made president, NM is on Exec.
comm. "African nationalism was our battle cry, and our creed was the
creation of one nation out of many tribes, the overthrow of white supremacy,
and the establishment of a truly democratic form of government." Rejected
idea of trusteeship by the whites. They are wary of communism as a foreign
ideology.
NM spends much time and lives for a
while with Walter Sisulu. Meets Evelyn Mase, a nurse in training from Engcobo
in the Transkei, marries her [c. 1945].
Miner's strike 1946 led by African
Mine Worker's Union AMWU (J. B. Marks president, member of CP). Ruthless
retaliation by police. NM meets with Marks to discuss role of communism. Marks
and others arrested.
Increasingly repressive government
acts. Asiatic Land Tenure Act (Ghetto Act) 1946 provokes Indian passive
resistance 1946, many arrests. This breaks the fear of prison for many,
enhances strength of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) and the Natal Indian
Congress (NIC).
In 1946, he moves with Evelyn to
house in Orlando East and soon to 8115 Orlando West in what will become greater
Soweto. This was the first home of his own and is the home he remembers fondly
in prison. Son Madiba Thembekile born 1946, NM's sister Leabie joins them.
Rarely at home.
In 1947, completes the 3-year period
of articles with Sidelsky et al and resolves to become a full-time student at
Wits to earn LL.B. Daughter Makaziwe born, dies at 9 months. Lembede dies,
succeeded by Peter Mda (pres. of Youth League). NM remains wary of communism,
breaks up CP meetings, and does not favor Indian participation in ANC (at this
time).
1947 Elected to Transvaal EC (Exec.
Committee) of the ANC. The "Doctor's Pact" unites the TIC, the NIC,
and the ANC against their common enemy, later joined by the African People's
Organization (APO, a Coloured group). Though the groups faced different problems,
this laid the foundation for future cooperation...
Victory of the repressive National
Party in 1948 over Smut's United Party. Led by Dr. Daniel Malan, who advocates
apartheid incorporated into law, not just de facto. Afrikaners no longer
dominated by the British. NM and Youth League favors blacks over Indians and
Coloureds. New repression by govt. mobilizes ANC activism. Dr. Xuma resists
activism--Youth League promotes his ouster in favor of J. S. Maroka as new
pres. of ANC. NM still wary of role for Indians and communists.
General Strike organized for May 1,
1950 leads to shootings by police of 18. National Day of Protest June 26, 1950
("Freedom Day") protests these killings and the Suppression of
Communism Act. ANC closes ranks with the SA Indian Congress (SAIC), the APO,
and the CP, which NM now supports.
NM's son Makgatho born 1950.
His hard attitude toward communism
is softening. Decides to study the writings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin,
Mao, etc. Some of it hard to understand, but relates well to Marx's call for
revolutionary action. This was why he became more accepting to participation by
the communists.
More govt. repressive acts.
Population Registration Act, Group Areas Act 1950, Separate Representation of
Voters Act, Bantu Authorities Act lead to more demonstrations. Sisulu suggests
deliberate imprisonment. NM still fears participation of Indians and Coloureds,
but after a national vote confirms their participation in the ANC, NM
acquiesces and changes his mind from then on. Plan mass demonstrations April 6,
1952 (Defiance Campaign) unless demands met. NM's Driver's test. Discusses
whether actions should follow Gandhi and be nonviolent (satyagraha), as
advocated now by Gandhi's son Manilal, a member of the SAIC. NM arrested. ANC
membership rises.
Public Safety Act 1953, Criminal
Laws Amendment Act allows corporal punishment of prisoners. Marks banned, NM
elected pres. of Transvaal ANC. Trial of 21 incl. NM in Sept 1952, convicted of
"statutory communism", NM receives suspended sentence. Defiance
Campaign ended.
PART FOUR
The Struggle is My Life
Chief Albert Luthuli elected new
pres. of ANC (b. Southern Rhodesia, educ. Natal). NM banned. NM develops the
"Mandela Plan" for how the ANC should function underground after it
becomes illegal...
Works for different law firm. Has
given up on studying for LL. B. after failing exams repeatedly. Passes a
qualifying exam to practice law w/o LL.B., starts his own practice 1952, joined
by Oliver Tambo--the only solely black practice in SA, becomes very much in
demand.
Government relocation of blacks of
Sophiatown under Western Area Removal scheme... NM rashly publicly advocates
violence and his opposition to Gandhi style passive resistance. Criticized for
this by the ANC as premature. NM suggests that Walter Sisulu try to arrange for
guns from China (unsuccessful).
NM is forced to resign from the ANC
and banned, restricted to Johannesburg 1953. Effort to disbar him. The final
Sophiatown removal of Feb. 1955. Racist education, passing of the Bantu
Education Act promoted by Verwoerd. School boycott 1955.
ANC draws up a list of its
principals, the Freedom Charter, and calls for a national Congress of the
People or convention. Invites participation by 200 organizations incl. the SA
Coloured People's Org. (SACPO) and the Congress of Democrats (COD). The
Congress of the People meets 1955, but the police break it up. Its charter, the
Freedom Charter becomes a guiding document. Some object to its socialist flavor
and excess influence of communism.
1955 travels to Transkei, enjoys
African music, sees mother and sisters, visits Cape Town. Sees that few people
in the country are ready to make major personal sacrifices for the cause.
Govt. plan hatched by Verwoerd to
develop separate Bantu areas (bantustans). NM banned 1956. Takes up boxing more
seriously.
PART FIVE
Treason
Arrested Dec. 1956 for high treason
along with 141 others, accused of conspiracy for committing violence and
overthrow of the govt. and replace it with communistic state.
Marriage to Evelyn unraveling. Has
2nd daughter Makaziwe. She leaves and takes the children and all furnishings c.
1957. His tender feelings for his son Thembi, then 10.
The trial preparations. Defense fund
supported by Alan Paton.
Meets Nomzamo Winifred
"Winnie" Madikzela, from the Transkei and working as a social worker
at a hospital. He courts her and files for divorce with Evelyn. Marries
1958.
Planned general strike 1958 is an
ANC failure.
Problem of requirement of passes for
women. Winnie joins in protest and is arrested with many others.
His trial shifted to Pretoria. Oct.
13, all charges of indictment are withdrawn, but new charges are soon
reinstated. Their daughter Zenani born 1958.
A rival to the ANC, the Pan
Africanist Congress (PAC) forms April 1959 under Robert Sobukwe pres. (and
Potlako Leballo natl. secy), favors militant action and pure Africanist (black)
membership, opposed to interracial cooperation, acts repeatedly as a spoiler to
the ANC and engages at times in deceptive practices toward it. Gaur joins it,
despite its explicit opposition to communism (which led to its favor by the
American state dept over the ANC).
1959 opposition to bantustans
increases. The trial. PAC demo. The Sharpeville massacre slays 69 black unarmed
demonstrators Mar. 21, 1960.
NM rearrested Mar 1960. ANC declared
illegal April 1960. Defense withdraws, Mandela and others conduct their own
defense. NM testifies Aug. 3. Daughter Zindziswa born c. Dec.1960. NM makes
plans to go underground if trial won. Attends All-in Conference Mar. 1961 in
Natal. Found not guilty Mar. 26, 1961 after 4 years in court, reflecting the
essential fairness of the judiciary system.
PART SIX
The Black Pimpernel
Immediately goes underground, called
the Black Pimpernel. ANC debates taking up violence. NM cites Castro's success.
ANC makes decision to organize a military movement separate from it, called the
Umkhonto we Sizwe (The Spear of the Nation, or MK), headed by NM. He recruits
Joe Slovo, reads the works of revolutionaries such as Che Guevara, Mao, Castro,
Menachim Begin.
Chief Luthuli wins Nobel peace
prize.
NM hides in various safe houses,
finally at Liliesleaf Farm at Rivonia. Begins sabotage campaign against power
and telephone lines, power plants, military installations, transportation
links, government offices, etc. Pledged initially to spare human life. Bombings
commence Dec. 16 [1916?], Dingane's day, when whites celebrate the defeat of
the Zulu leader Dingane in the Battle of Blood River 1838. Police launch a
concerted counteroffensive.
NM invited to attend the Pan African
Freedom Movement for East Central and Southern Africa (PAFMECSA) in Addis Ababa
Feb. 1962. Travels to Lobatse in Bechuanaland (Botswana), then Mbeya in
Tanganyika (a black country ruled by blacks, now western Tanzania and eastern
Zaire), Dar es Salam (in Tanganyika [Tanzania]), Accra (in Ghana!, after
stopping in Sudan at Khartoum), back to Khartoum, and finally Addis Ababa in
Ethiopia... Meets many leaders of other countries. Goes to Cairo, Tunis,
Morocco, Algeria, Bamako (Mali), Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Senegal,
London. Gets military training in Addis Ababa. Returns in secret to
Johannesburg.
PART SEVEN
Rivonia [Trial]
Arrested Aug. 5, 1962 and charged
with inciting strike and illegally leaving country. UN sanctions begin against
SA in 1962. NM sentenced to 5 years. Demeaning treatment in prison.
Sabotage act 1962. Transferred to
Robben Island (off Cape Town coast) May [?1963]. Humiliating and demeaning
treatment, his resistance to it. Rivonia raided by the police July 1963,
discover incriminating materials against NM, he is charged with sabotage, a
capital offense.
Oct. 1963 Rivonia trial begins. His
family members are persecuted. His defense and defense of the ideals of the
ANC. "During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the
African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought
against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free
society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal
opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if
needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." He is found
guilty and decides not to appeal. Receives life sentence June 12, 1964.
PART EIGHT
Robben Island: The Dark Years
He is placed in section B of Robben
Island. Crushes stones. Forced to wear shorts. Dietary and other racial
discrimination. Restrictions on his visitors, letters, and banning of his
picture or words in public. Winnie's visits. Work in the lime quarry. The
struggle for news and newspapers. Hunger strike 1966.
Verwoerd dies. Successes of the
South-West African People's Organization (SWAPO) in Namibia. Political
organizing in the prison. Cruelty of warders. Investigation by MP Mrs. Helen
Suzman.
Increasingly brutal police state, SA
Defense Force SADF. Liberation movements and ANC fighting in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia.
Luthuli dies 1967. Hostility by the PAC toward the ANC. The ANC High Organ
formed on Robben Island.
Mother visits and dies soon after in
1968. Winnie arrested May 1969.
PART NINE
Robben Island: Beginning to Hope
Improvements. Church and Christian
services. Plot to assassinate him. Beatings of prisoners investigated, deposed
warden Badenhorst show his humanity on leaving.
Influx of highly militant MK
soldiers. Harvesting kelp. "The University" within the prison.
Syllabus organized by senior ANC prisoners to educate new prisoners about ANC.
His legal defense work for others.
Winnie again imprisoned. Bram
Fischer dies. Escape considered, but it is a setup and he decides not. NM
writes memoirs, which are smuggled out but apparently lost (they comprise the
major part of this book, not clear how or if they wre recovered).
Overtures from minister of prisons
Jimmy Kruger. Soweto uprising 1976. The Black Consciousness Movement. He is
allowed to garden, tennis.
Winnie internally exiled 1977. Botha
succeeds Vorster. Free Mandela campaign 1980.
Sabata deposed by K. D. Matanzima in
Transkei 1980. NM transferred to Pollsmoor prison, a mixed blessing producing
more comfort but greater isolation from his colleagues in Robben Island.
PART TEN
Talking With the Enemy
His comfortable surroundings.
Contact visits with Winnie allowed 1984 on.
MK car bomb attack 1983 killing 19
incl. civilians escaltes the level of ANC violence. 1984 Bishop Desmond Tutu
awarded Nobel prize. NM offered freedom 1985 in exchange for renouncing
violence, refuses.
Secret feelers for negotiations
begin. 1986 State of Emergency declared. Meets with Justice Minister 1986 Kobie
Coetsee. Working Group meetings begin 1988 between NM and several high
officials. NM refuses to renounce armed struggle, disassociation of ANC with
CP, or the idea of majority rule. NM contracts TB pleuritis.
1988, gets new prison home at Victor
Verster, a nice cottage complete with a cook. He receives visits from the
United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and enjoys
greater freedoms.
Winnie gets in trouble with her
bodyguards, one dies.
F. W. de Klerk takes over as head of
National Party after Botha resigns (though Botha remains pres. of SA). NM meets
with Botha July 4, 1989. In Aug. Botha resigns as SA Pres. and De Klerk becomes
pres of SA. Many political prisoners released Oct. 1989. Efforts begin per De
Klerk to dismantle apartheid. NM meets with de Klerk Dec. 13, 1989. He is freed
from prison in Cape Town Feb. 11, 1990 to great tumult.
PART ELEVEN
Freedom
Parade and confusion in the mobs of
supporters in Cape Town. Meets with ANC in Lusaka Zambia Feb. 1990. Rising
opposition to ANC by the Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, head of the Inkatha
Freedom Party (IFP) and chief minister of KwaZulu, and by the Zulu king
Goodwill Zwelithini. Fighting breaks out in Natal Mar. 1990, fomented secretly
by the SA police, and the police do nothing to investigate. Police attack ANC
demonstrators.
NM travels to Qunu to honor his dead
mother and to Robben Island to persuade MK prisoners to accept amnesty. Travels
to Europe and North America, NM sees Eskimos.
Violence in SA worsening. ANC agrees
to suspend the armed struggle Aug. 1990. Increasing rural violence with police
complicity and involvement of a Third Force. IFP makes savage attacks July 1990
and on ANC Nov. 1990. Oliver Tambo returns to SA 1990 (he has served a vital
diplomatic role on behalf of the ANC over the many years of his exile). NM
meets with Chief Buthelezi, but cannot conclude a peace with IFP yet.
Winnie convicted of kidnapping Feb.
1991.
Convention for a Democratic SA
(CODESA) talks begin Dec. 1991. De Klerk becomes combative but is countered
firmly by NM. Govt. is funding covert attacks on ANC. Referendum Mar. 1992.
He announces separation from Winnie
Apr. 1992 for unspecified personal reasons.
Impasse in CODESA2 talks. ANC plans
mass actions June 1992. IFP attacks ANC people June 1992. General strike Aug.
1992. Govt. makes threats against ANC. A Record of Understanding is signed
Sept. 1992 between NM and the SA govt.
NM gets new house. Chris Hani of the
MK shot. Tambo dies.
Interim constitution. NM wins Nobel
peace prize 1993. Election campaign. Buthelezi agrees to participate at the
last minute in return for assurances. Election April 26, 1994. ANC wins 62.6%.
De Klerk makes gracious concession speech. New govt. inaugurated May 10, 1994.
Emphasis on democratic nonracial govt.
His celebration of the people of SA,
their goodness and generosity. His regrets for not being able to properly serve
his wife, mother, and children. His hunger for freedom for his people. The long
walk to freedom is not yet ended.
