Conversations with Myself (28 page)

1. FROM HIS UNPUBLISHED AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MANUSCRIPT WRITTEN IN PRISON

We do not underestimate the enemy and in past conflicts against superior odds it has fought courageously and received the admiration of all. But then they had something to defend – their independence. Now positions are reversed – they are a minority of oppressors heavily outnumbered here at home and isolated in the entire world. And the result of the conflict will certainly be different. The wheel of life is there and national heroes throughout our history from Autshumayo [
sic
] to [Chief Albert] Luthuli, in fact the entire people of our country have been working for it for more than 3 centuries. It is clogged with dry wax and rust but we have managed to make it creak and move backwards and forwards and we live in the hope and confidence that one day we’ll be able to turn it full circle so that the exhaulted will crumble and the despised be exhaulted, no – so that all men – the exhaulted and the wretched of the earth can live as equals.

2. CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD STENGEL ABOUT HIS SPEECH-MAKING STYLE

STENGEL: Sometimes people do criticise you for not being a more rousing speaker.

MANDELA: Well, in a climate of this nature, when we are trying to reach a settlement through negotiations you don’t want rabble-rousing speeches. You want to discuss problems with people soberly, because the people would like to know
how
you behave or how you express yourself, and then they can have an idea of how you are handling important issues in the course of those negotiations. The masses like to see somebody who is responsible and who speaks in a responsible manner. They
like
that, and so I avoid rabble-rousing speech. I don’t want to incite the crowd. I want the crowd to understand what we are doing and I want to
infuse
a spirit of reconciliation to them.

STENGEL: Would you say your speaking style is different now than in the old days before you went to prison?

MANDELA: Well, I have mellowed, very definitely, and as a young man, you know, I was very
radical
and using high-flown language, and fighting everybody. But now, you know, one has to lead and… a rabble-rousing speech therefore is not appropriate…

3. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Leaders fully appreciate that constructive criticism within the structures of the organisation, however sharp it may be, is one of the most effective methods of addressing internal problems, of ensuring that the views of each comrade are carefully considered, that if a comrade is to express his views freely there must be no fear of marginalization or, even worse, of victimization.

It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of criticism, to conduct discussions as if he or she is a schoolmaster talking to less informed and inexperienced learners. A leader should encourage and welcome [a] free and unfettered exchange of views. But no one should ever question the honesty of another comrade, whether he or she is a leader or ordinary member.

4. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

One should never forget the main aim in a debate, inside and outside the organisations, in political rallies, in Parliament and other government structures, is that we should emerge from that debate, however sharp our differences might have been, stronger, closer and more united and confident than ever before. The removal of differences and mutual suspicion within one’s organisation, between one’s organisation and adversaries, but total focus on the implementation of the basic policy of one’s organisation, should always be our guiding principle.

5. FROM A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD STENGEL ABOUT HIS SEPARATION FROM WINNIE MANDELA

No I would [not] go into details except just to state that I had to separate from her on personal grounds.

6. FROM A NOTEBOOK

Number of deaths in Sannieville, Krugersdorp

18 people were killed in broad daylight at the funeral of [Sam] Ntuli
¹

All the evidence stretching over the past 2 years shows that the NP [National Party] and the regime know who the killers are, and why they are killing innocent and defenceless men, women and children, and who pays them for doing so. Why is Battalion 32 not sent there

7. FROM A NOTEBOOK – THOUGHTS ON NEGOTIATING

1) Start with negotiation

2) Political prisoners must be released before Xmas

Capture the thoughts and feelings of this audience in the eloquent language of art – in this particular case of vibrant music and animated dancing they are like raindrops from the blue sky

.....................................................................................

From a notebook.

8. FROM A NOTEBOOK

Think through brain not blood

9. FROM A NOTEBOOK

AIDS is a major problem to be tackled by the entire world. To deal with it requires resources far beyond the capacity of one continent. No single country has the capacity to deal with it.

An AIDS epidemic will destroy or retard economic growth throughout the world. A world wide multi-faceted strategy in this regard is required.

10. FROM A NOTEBOOK

The continent of Africa is well aware of the importance of the environment. But most of the continent’s problems on [the] environment are simply the product of poverty and lack of education. Africa has no resources or skills to deal with desertation [
sic
], deforestation, soil erosion and pollution.

None of these issues should be treated separately as if the world is not a single world. The position is worsened by the rich countries which are exploiting the poverty of the people of Africa, and dumping toxic waste on the continent. They give them money; literally bribe them to expose the population to all the dangers of pollution.

11. FROM A NOTEBOOK

A cardinal point that we must keep constantly in mind, the lodestar which keeps us in course, as we negotiate the uncharted twists and turns of the struggle for liberation is that the breakthrough is never the result of individual effort. It is always a collective effort and triumph.

12. FROM THE UNPUBLISHED SEQUEL TO HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

During my political career, I have discovered that in all communities, African, Coloured, Indian and Whites, and in all political organisations without exception, there are good men and women who fervently wish to go on with their lives, who yearn for peace and stability, who want a decent income, good houses and to send their children to the best schools, who respect and want to maintain the social fabric of society.

13. FROM A NOTEBOOK

21.9.92

Troika, investigation, mass actions – feeling

Indictment, concern for economy, social fabric of blacks

Boardroom should be swept before we meet at 1 pm

14. FROM A NOTEBOOK

In future you must come early

Stronger movement for unity

Case to disgrace certain organisations

Attack a young man who is unable to defend himself

Review

Admission

100 of thousands

Humphrey – video

Will consult chiefs

Chiefs must not be members of political organisations

[December 1991]

15. FROM A DRAFT LETTER TO GRAÇA MACHEL,
C
.1992
²

Losing your luggage, especially on your way abroad, must have been a painful experience. I do not want to think of the embarrassment and inconvenience you suffered among strangers in foreign countries. Fortunately you told me about it almost at the end of your visit, to that extent my distress was eased by the knowledge that you would soon be back, and join the children.

They must have missed you very much and, in spite of your and Zina’s assurance I found it difficult to be comforted …To your brother you are becoming very special and a lot of thinking and feeling was centred on you. Visiting two capitals must have been somewhat strenuous, but you are a remarkable person, and you have enormous capacity to take such a workload in your stride.

I think of you.

16. FROM A NOTEBOOK DURING POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS AT CODESA (CONVENTION FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA)
³

1) Suggestion for stopping violence

2) Can we remain indifferent to the slaughter and continue to talk to regime?

3) Would pulling out of Codesa not be shortest way to breakthrough?

4) Would withdrawal

17. FROM A NOTEBOOK

20.8.92

Meeting with 3 regions of Natal
⁴

Violence: no of deaths

Over 700 people died

7 000 refugees in Midlands

Ngwelezana and Stanger

Attacks by small groups of armed men – attacks houses in strongholds of ANC. Main targets ANC and alliance.

Intimate [
sic
] role of security forces.

Pump gun – using pellets.

Attacks of people only from ANC events.

Existence of hit squads –

June – 119 people died from hit-squads

45 occurred in Natal

18. FROM A NOTEBOOK

26.8.92

Whoever runs [the] country he will want a good economy.

2 mnths [months] – economy going down.

To retrieve economy will be extremely difficult.

19. FROM A NOTEBOOK

I was in prison when she [Ruth First] was assassinated felt almost all alone. Lost a sister in arms.

It is no consolation to know that she live[s] beyond her grave. This commemoration

A Jewish woman from a well-to-do family broke ranks with her privileged comm[unity]

20. FROM A DRAFT LETTER TO PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK,
C
.1992, ON THE EVE OF THE BISHO MASSACRE
⁵

To be sent to Mr F.W. de Klerk by 7.30 am

I refer to our conversation earlier this evening, and I confirm that what you conveyed to me is inconsistent with the contents of your letter of 4 September 1992.

In that letter you refer expressly to actions being planned in the Ciskei on 7 September 1992. You then state that your Government has no objection to peaceful demonstrations which take place within the parameters of the National Peace Accord and the guidelines of the Goldstone Commission.
⁶

For this reason, you pointed out; you do not question the key objectives of the organizers of the planned march as have been defined.

You further point out that you are doing everything possible to help in the arrangement of an agreement between all those involved which will ensure that the planned action takes place peacefully. You then appeal to me to ensure that the ANC [African National Congress] gives its cooperation in this regard. I readily assured you of our cooperation.

All these statements and assurances concerned what is planned inside, and not outside, the Ciskei.

Our entire position today has drastically shifted. Nowhere in the above-mentioned letter did you even hint that, while you were soliciting our cooperation, you were at the same time deploying troops on the Ciskeian borders, erecting road blocks and declaring unrest areas, all of which… to your knowledge, create tensions.

Equally disturbing is the fact that this evening you state, contrary to your letter of 4 September, that you will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Ciskei. These contradictions are unfortunate and tend to strengthen then the perception that you and I are not negotiating in good faith. I urge you to honour our agreement of 4 September, and not to do anything which may damage the climate for peaceful negotiations for which we have all worked so hard to create.

I further confirm that we do not recognise the Bantustans, and accordingly do not consider ourselves bound by the decisions of its courts. We hope that all the parties concerned will help to diffuse the volatile situation and allow the demonstrations to proceed as planned.

The march will be led by our Secretary-General, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chris Hani, Gertrude Shope, Ronnie Kasrils, Raymond Suttner, Tony Yengeni and others.
⁷

Yours sincerely,

Nelson Mandela

President, ANC.

21. FROM A NOTEBOOK

Our strength lies in discipline.

Right to peaceful demonstration

It was criminal.

Forces for democracy.

Not of revenge. Keep in state of readiness

Whatever we do must be within the peace process. We cannot allow ourselves to be accused of violating peace process.

22. FROM A NOTEBOOK

Our present position on this aspect is the same as that of the Federal Republic of Germany, which contains in its constitution a clause on nationalization as one of the options the Government might employ in case of need. That option has not been exercised in that country for decades.