R.I.P Nelson Mandela

[penfold]

Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. Mozambique was where SA fought a secret war.

[easy-lift guy]

Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. Mozambique was where SA fought a secret war.

 

You are correct about Zimbabwe, for better or worse all countries have fought secret wars.

easy-lift guy

[eggsarascal]

Did you also know that it was Mrs T who appealed to the SA government not to hang him, as was expected upon his conviction??

 

I did indeed know that. Do you know why she did it?

[skyhuck]

I did indeed know that. Do you know why she did it?

 

I'm not aware that she ever expressed the reason for her actions, but I'm interested in what you are suggesting were her reasons.

[arbogrunt]

I think many people (including Maggie Thatcher),realised that Mandela was the only man who could step up to the plate and lead SA post-Aparthied. He did a good job in holding things together (look at what Robert Mugabe did!). One of the first things he did was upgrade SA's Armed Forces. Whatever his faults, he was a very shrewd man...and for a Marxist..had a good head for a bit of capitalism!...although he has had no direct hand in leading the country for years...his calming influence of the ANC and some of its more radical and violent elements will be missed...very soon I fear.

[chris hennelly]

.........i signed a petition for his release outside Africa House 'bout '79........so...i..guess a success? If so then i may sign another one......on a slightly tangential note,anyone celebrating 125 years of X cupressocyparis leylandii?