Conversations with Myself
Page 22
12 AUGUST 1988
Admitted to Tygerberg Hospital after 10 p.m. Examined by Prof Rossenstrauch
13 AUGUST 1988
Examined by Prof. De Kock, Head of Internal medicine. Diagnose T.B. and pleural effusion
17 AUGUST 1988
Visited by Rev Anthony Simons
24 AUGUST 1988
Weight 71 kg: Matron Elaine Kearns goes on leave as from
25.8.88
New pyjamas and sleepers
25 AUGUST 1988
Weight 70,3 kg
27 AUGUST 1988
Weight 71,5 kg. Sister De Waal goes on holiday
10 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Brings along hazel nuts. Home supplies bag of peanuts
11 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock: Observations taken by Sister E Kearns (no relation of matron). E Kearns of Tygerberg. Sister Letitia Johnson taking observations in the evening. Sister Marlene Vorster brings chocolate cake.
12 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 69,5 kg
14 SEPTEMBER 1988
Sister Killassy Pam, E. leaves on week’s holiday
20 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Matron Tee announces that she would fly to London to visit her sick sister
22 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 70 kg. Four blood specimen[s] taken by Major Kleinhans.
Dr Stock did not turn up. Dr Stock turns up about 5 pm. Received report that I have started coughing again. I assure him that I was not coughing.
26 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 71 kg. Dr Stock examines me as usual
Visited the ‘garden’ for ±45 minutes. Misty and cold
27 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock, as usual
Nurse Kay celebrated her 21st birthday on 25.9.88 Visited by Sister Bradley
28 SEPTEMBER 1988
Prison outfit brought over
15 OCTOBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock as usual. Examined also by Prof De Kock
Visited by Zami, Leabie, Zindzi, Zozo and Zondwa66
17 OCTOBER 1988
Sat for exam in Military Law
Dr Stock examines at about 5.30 pm
22 OCTOBER 1988
Dr Stock examines me as usual. Prescribes two pairs of long elastic socks and Cepacol
24 OCTOBER 1988
Weight 71 kg. Dr Stock examines me: Got 500 g peanuts; 100g brazils; 100g almonds. Dr Strauss, Chief Superintendent of Tygerberg, visits me.
3 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Major Marais advises that request to purchase clothing has been granted. Weight 71 kg
19 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Sister Ruth Skosana takes fortnight’s leave
21 NOVEMBER 1988
Weight 73 kg. Sister Ray leaves for 3 weeks holiday to Johannesburg. Examined by Dr Stock
30 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Returns twice to report on results of blood test and on condition of Sister Julie Morgan. Tests disclose viral meningitis.
7 DECEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock
Transferred from Constantiaberg Clinic about 9.30 pm to Paarl [Victor Verster Prison]
8 DECEMBER 1988
Private X 6005 South Paarl. Prison 1335/88
Examined by Dr Schoening. 7624-41011 (02211)
23 DECEMBER 1988
Spent 7 hrs with Pollsmoor comrades
25 DECEMBER 1988
Visited by Zami, Zindzi, Zozo and the 2 Zondwas67
2 JANUARY 1989
Visited by Brig T.T. Matanzima from ± 1915 am [sic] to 1.30 pm.
Agreed to see the 2 contending parties in the Thembu succession dispute.
17 JANUARY 1989
Zami and Zindzi pay visit from 11 am to 1.15 pm. Had lunch together
25 JANUARY 1989
Visited the X-ray firm of Ormond and Partners at City Park. On return journey drove past Langa, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Khayelitsha, Strand, Beaufort West, Du Toit Pass [sic], Grabouw, Elgin and Frenchoek [sic]. R9,70 to Sgt Gregory
27 JANUARY 1989
T.B. treatment ended
24 FEBRUARY 1989
Visited by Mr Sidelsky for 40+ minutes. His wife and daughter, Ruth, not allowed in. Barry a minister of religion in Israel. Colin in commerce in SA (estate agent).68 R9.70 given to Sgt Gregory
12 MARCH 1989
Received so far 674 birthday cards from Cape Democrats.
15 MARCH 1989
Visited by Tyhopho from 11.15 to 2 pm
16 MARCH 1989
Examined by Prof. M.B. Van Rooyen. Right eye deteriorating but op not indicated. Passed through Wellington, Worcester, Rawsonville, Tulbagh through Du Toit [sic] tunnel. Re-examination by Dr Van Seggelin. Also visited Pollsmoor [Prison].
17 MARCH 1989
Visited by Bri Bri [Wilton Mkwayi] from 11.15 am to 1.30 pm. liquifilm.
24 MARCH 1989
Visited by Mandla from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.69 Brought Sakharov Award. Scroll and cheque and medal
25 MARCH 1989
Visited by Wonga [K D Matanzima], Mafu and their wives.70 R400 from Wonga and R200 from Mafu. Picked up a further R5 from bathroom.
26 MARCH 1989
Visited by Mandla from 11.10 am to 12.50 pm. Given him R400 in addition to the R90 given to him on 24.3.89
30 MARCH 1989
Visited by Mrs Engelbrecht and Mr Nel from First National Bank, Paarl. Letter to Shenge [Mangosuthu Buthelezi] handed in for posting today. Amended in terms of request from prison authorities.
21 APRIL 1989
57 birthday cards issued by the Labour Party in London handed in.
31 MAY 1989
Zami arrives at gate unexpectedly. Request she should come with Zindzi.
8 JUNE 1989
Visited by Amina and Yusuf Cachalia for 3 hrs.
9 JUNE 1989
Visited by Gen. W. [Willemse] and exchanged views on an important matter.
14 JUNE 1989
Visited by Mike Rossouw.
Advised to have no visits until 24th of this month
15 JUNE 1989
Visited by Xhamela [Walter Sisulu] for about 1½ hrs.
20 JUNE 1989
Advised that the plan has fallen through.
26 JUNE 1989
Visited by Gen. Willemse and another from 9.am to 11.45.
4 JULY 1989
Crucial meeting with Min K.C. [Kobie Coetsee]
5 JULY 1989
Meeting with very important person – no politics discussed.
B.P. 7 am 170/100 3.45 pm 160/90.
11 JULY 1989
BP. 7 am 180/90 2.30 pm 210/90 Visited by G.W. [General Willemse] and 2 others. Visited by Chief MB Joyi and his brother for ±3 hrs
13 JULY 1989
BP. 7 am 160/80 3.45 pm: 170/90
Visited by Mrs Helen Suzman.
14 JULY 1989
Visited by Kathy [Kathrada], Mpandla [Mlangeni], Mokoni [Motsoaledi], Ndobe [Mhlaba] and Xhamela [Sisulu].
18 JULY 1989
BP 170/80 7 am 71st birthday. Visited by Zami and all the children and grandchildren save Zeni family and Isaac.
19 JULY 1989
Drove out from 10.15 am to 3.45 pm.
2 AUGUST 1989
Visited by comrades from Pollsmoor and Robben Island for 5 hrs
3 AUGUST 1989
Visited by Fatima [Meer] from 9.15 am to 3.45 pm
4 AUGUST 1989
Visited by Mrs Stella Sigcau from 10 am to 3.30 pm71
8 AUGUST 1989
Visited by Chiefs Zanengqele Dalasile and Phathekile Holomisa
10 AUGUST 1989
Visited by Mamphela Ramphele for 3 hrs.72
11 AUGUST 1989
Meeting for 3 hrs with Oscar Mpetha at Pollsmoor.73
12 AUGUST 1989
Report that OR had stroke, flown to London.
Zeni and children fail to turn up.
13 SEPTEMBER 1989
Visited by Kgatho, Zondi, Mandla and Ndaba74
20 SEPTEMBER 1989
BP. 7 am 165/90 3.45 pm 160/80
Mr F.W. de Klerk inaugurated as new State President75
10 OCTOBER 1989
BP. 180/90 Announcement of intended release of Tyhopho and others.76
Visited by Kgatho 7.15 to 8.30 am
Visited by Ministers Coetsee and Dr G Viljoen.77
11 OCTOBER 1989
Chest and leg xrays by Dr Kaplan. Climbed Paarl Rock.
13 OCTOBER 1989
Visited by Jeff Masemola from 10.45 to 4 pm78
16 OCTOBER 1989
Visited by Rochelle79
18 OCTOBER 1989
Visited by 7 relatives and friends from Thembuland.
19 OCTOBER 1989
Visited by four relatives and friends: Zami delivers note
26 OCTOBER 1989
Spoke to Cyril and Murphy80
29 OCTOBER 1989
National welcome rally for the 7 released prisoners plus Govan [Mbeki]
31 OCTOBER 1989
Visited by Zami, Zindzi and baby from 9 am to 5 pm.
10 NOVEMBER 1989
Visited by 5 Robben Islanders from 11 am to 4 pm.
28 NOVEMBER 1989
Mary Benson’s 70th Birthday81
13 DECEMBER 1989
Met State President F.W. de Klerk for 2 hrs 55 m
29 DECEMBER 1989
BP 7 am 160/90 8.30 am 140/80 4 pm 160/80
Visited by Laloo Chiba, Reggie Vandeyar and Shirish Nanabhai82
30 DECEMBER 1989
Spoken to Xhamela and Ntsiki83
31 DECEMBER 1989
BP 7 am 155/80 3.45 pm 140/80
Trouser size 87R/34R
Style 8127
Mandela’s stay in the house in Victor Verster Prison was a time of transition between imprisonment and freedom. Dated 13 January 1990, this is the very last diary entry he made while in prison.
Flock of ducks walks clumsily into the lounge and loiter about apparently unaware of my presence. Males with loud colours, but keeping their dignity and not behaving like playboys. Moments later they become aware of my presence. If they got a shock they endured it with grace. Nevertheless, I detect some invisible feeling of unease on their part. It seems as if their consciences are worrying them, and although I feared that very soon their droppings will decorate the expensive carpet, I derive some satisfaction when I notice that their consciences are worrying them. Suddenly they squawk repeatedly and then file out. I was relieved. They behave far better then my grandchildren. They always leave the house upside down.
The years after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison were extremely cluttered for him. He was preoccupied with organising the African National Congress, conducting negotiations, preparing for the elections, governing as president, travelling the world as the most celebrated leader of his age, and all the while coping with the pain of his divorce from Winnie. A private man even in his private life, he found it difficult to talk about personal relationships. His time was seldom his own. This is reflected in the series of notebooks he kept during the period. Aside from the lengthy ‘minutes’ he wrote during meetings, the entries are a staccato representation of day-to-day events.
The period 1990–94 was one of blood and fear in South Africa. Thousands died in political violence. Massacres, like those at Sebokeng, Boipatong and Bisho, were common. Throughout, there was a palpable fear of a right-wing, military-backed coup. Pragmatism drove the negotiations and the policy of reconciliation. The conversations Mandela had with Richard Stengel and Ahmed Kathrada for his authorised book projects took place at the same time that he was either keeping the country together (before April 1994) or actually running it (from May 1994). One day he witnesses the brutal effects of violence with his own eyes; the next, he is in quiet and studied contemplation of the past. While he probably enjoyed the conversations and often chuckled or laughed (on one occasion he looked down and said ‘[I have] reversed my socks’), he also yawned fairly frequently and once complained that he could not keep his eyes open.
Nelson Mandela’s remembrance of his prison years is not without nostalgia. The routine. The camaraderie. The lessons learned. The time for reading and study. The time for writing letters. For contemplation. In a twist of irony, though, he has remained, in a sense, a prisoner. Frequently over the years since his release he has teased visitors and guests with the comment that he is still not free, while pointing a finger at his personal assistants: ‘And these are my jailers.’
‘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.’
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Excerpt from his unpublished autobiographical manuscript written in prison.
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 UN
PUBLISHED 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] Ntuli1
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