Mandela - Tambo Lecture Series 4th Lecture

City of Glasgow College 16 September 2011

Mandela - Tambo: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy

Professor Denis Goldberg MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

Published by ACTSA Scotland (Action for Southern Africa) CONTENTS 52 St Enoch Square Glasgow G1 4AA

First Published 2012 Background to the Mandela-Tambo Lecture Series Brian Filling Chair, ACTSA Scotland Honorary Consul for in Scotland page 4

This paper was delivered as the Fourth Lecture of the Mandela-Tambo Lecture Series, 13 September 2012. The lecture was organised by the City of Glasgow College and Introduction ACTSA Scotland in association with the South African High Commission. Paul Little Principal, City of Glasgow College page 8

The Mandela-Tambo Lecture sereis is sponsored by ACTSA Scotland in association with the Lord Provost and Glasgow City Council, City of Glasgow College, Biography of Professor Denis Goldberg page 10 Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow and the South African High Commission. “Mandela-Tambo: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy” Professor Denis Goldberg page 12 Liberal quoting from this document is permitted for educational purposes and the promotion of research provided acknowledgement is made. Vote of Thanks Janis Carson Vice Principal, Cityof Glasgow College page 27

ISBN 978-0-9556538-3-4

Designed by City of Glasgow College

2 3 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

BACKGROUND Mandela receiving the Freedom of the The lecture was delivered as the keynote to the GLASGOW MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES City and to celebrate OR Tambo’s 90th speech at the ACTSA Scotland conference anniversary by initiating a lecture series. on 25 October 2008 and was hosted by On 4 August 1981, Glasgow awarded The Glasgow Green rally in 1988, which It was to be named the Mandela-Tambo Professor Pamela Gillies, Principal and the Freedom of the City, sent off the 25 marchers (one for each of Lecture series. It was also agreed to ask Vice Chancellor, at Glasgow Caledonian the first City to do so. the years that Mandela had been in jail) to each of the universities in Glasgow and University. walk to London, was addressed by Oliver Glasgow Metropolitan College to host, in As Mandela was still in prison, the The 2010 lecture was delivered by Ronnie Tambo, President of the African National turn, an annual Freedom Lecture. honour was accepted on his behalf Congress. Kasrils, former Minister in the South by the Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr The Inaugural Lecture in the Mandela- African government. The lecture was Alex Ekwueme, a former student at On 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela Tambo series was held in the Banqueting held as the book launch of Ronnie Kasrils’ the University of Strathclyde. On the was released from prison. Hall of the City Chambers, George Square book, “The Unlikely Secret Agent”. same day, following the ceremony, a Glasgow University hosted the lecture He came to Glasgow to collect the on 26 October 2006. meeting hosted by the Anti- and book launch in the University Chapel Freedom of 9 UK cities at a special, single The platform party comprised Brian Movement and chaired by Brian Filling on 1 December 2010. ceremony on 9 October 1993. Filling, chair; Baillie Gordon Mathieson, was addressed by Vice-President, Dr Alex who welcomed guests on behalf of the On 4 August 2011, a plaque was unveiled Ekwueme; Lord Provost, Michael Kelly; Nelson Mandela was elected President of Lord Provost and the City Council; and in Glasgow City Chambers by the Lord and the African National Congress Chief the Republic of South Africa, following Her Excellency, Dr Lindiwe Mabuza, Provost, Councillor Bob Winter and Representative in the UK, . the first democratic elections in that South African High Commissioner. Professor Denis Goldberg on the 30th country, in April 1994. Following the award of Freedom of the The Inaugural Lecture, “The International anniversary of Nelson Mandela receiving city, Glasgow in association with the 2006 was the 25th Anniversary of Nelson Legacy of Oliver Reginald Tambo 1917- the Freedom of the City. To coincide Anti-Apartheid Movement continued the Mandela receiving the Freedom of the 1993” was delivered by Dr Nkosazana with the 30th anniversary a booklet, “The campaign to win Mandela’s release. city of Glasgow. Dlamini Zuma, South African Minister of Glasgow Mandela Story”, by Brian Filling, The Lord Provost of Glasgow launched Foreign Affairs. was published by ACTSA Scotland in a world-wide Lord Mayors petition at OR Tambo, who had led the ANC association with Glasgow City Council. the United Nations in New York in 1981; throughout the period of Mandela’s The 2008 lecture was given by the the street, which housed the Apartheid imprisonment, died in 1993. He was born Mozambican High Commissioner The 2011 lecture, “Mandela-Tambo: South African Consulate, was re-named on 27 October 1917. So 2007 marked the in the UK, His Excellency, Antonio friends, comrades, leaders, legacy” was Nelson Mandela Place in 1986; the city’s 90th anniversary of his birth. Gumende, and was entitled: “Solidarity given by Professor Denis Goldberg, fellow Lord Provost led a deputation of UK Lord and Partnerships in the 21st century: Rivonia trialist with Nelson Mandela, Provosts, Lord Mayors and Mayors to No In discussions between Glasgow City the challenge of achieving the MDGs and who spent 22 years in an apartheid 10 Downing St to petition Prime Minister Council, the South African High (Millennium Development Goals) in prison. The Lecture was hosted by the Margaret Thatcher; and in 1988 a march Commission and ACTSA Scotland Mozambique. City of Glasgow College on 16 September was launched from Glasgow to London (Action for Southern Africa), the 2011. calling for Nelson Mandela to be released successor organisation to the Anti- on his seventieth birthday. Apartheid Movement, it was agreed to Brian Filling mark the 25th anniversary of Nelson Chair, ACTSA Scotland 4 5 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

Nelson Mandela, Marah Louw and Brian Filling. George Square, Glasgow, 9 October 1993 (photograph: Alan Wylie)

Oliver Tambo (centre) with Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Brian Filling with Abdul Minty behind Nelson Mandela in George Square, Glasgow, 9 October 1993 (photograph: David Pratt) Glasgow Green, 12 June 1988. (photographs: Alan Wylie) 6 7 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME Our legacy colleges, not least through student body of the issues faced in other by Paul Little, Principal, City of Glasgow College Brian Filling here, have a long association communities. with educational institutions in , and the Eastern We are honoured therefore to host Professor Goldberg, Deputy High Professor Goldberg only recently Cape. the Mandela-Tambo lecture at City of Commissioner, Honorary Consul/Chair honoured the city by unveiling a plaque Over recent years our students have been Glasgow College and privileged to have ACTSA Scotland Brian Filling, Honoured to commemorate this 30th anniversary. happy to support the charity Community Professor Goldberg here to deliver the guests, Heart and we have been very grateful to lecture. It is a great honour and I believe very Brian for raising awareness amongst our I am delighted to welcome you to City important for an educational centre such of Glasgow College, Scotland’s newest & as ours to keep alive the lessons from the largest college. struggles of the past. Great figures from that era like Dennis Goldberg and Nelson I am especially delighted to welcome Mandela stood up for and have “cherished you in this auspicious year, the 30th the ideal of a democratic and free society anniversary of the City of Glasgow in which all persons live together in presenting the Freedom of the City to harmony and with equal opportunities”. Nelson Mandela back in 1981, the first These are values that this college wishes city in the world to make him a freeman to espouse and nurture and are key to our – this was a very controversial decision role in society. back in 1981 when Mandela was still a prisoner of the apartheid state. Back Scotland and Glasgow in particular has then in 1986 the city renamed St George’s a very special relationship with South Place, the location of the South African Africa, not only in the City’s support consulate, as Nelson Mandela Place in his of the anti apartheid movement but in honour. supporting educational development and exchange between our countries and their institutions.

Platform party (from left to right) Janis Carson, Vice Principal, City of Glasgow College, Professor Denis Goldberg, Bongiwe Qwabe, South African Depute High Commissioner, Paul Little, Principal, City of Glasgow College, Brian Filling, Honorary Consul for South Africa (photograph: Brian Purdie)

8 9 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

BIOGRAPHY against apartheid. He did speaking tours Goldberg first married Johannesburg of Professor Denis Goldberg for the African National Congress in born Esme Bodenstein, a London-trained many countries in Europe, , physiotherapist, who was herself briefly and Asia as well as in North America. held in solitary confinement in 1963 Denis Theodore Goldberg was born in His exiled family had been active for before going into exile in London with Cape Town in 1933, South Africa, the many years in the Woodcraft Folk, a their young children Hilary and David. son of London born parents, who had British movement for children and young Only allowed to see Denis twice in twenty emigrated to South Africa. people, committed to fostering equality years, Esme’s house in East Finchley in He grew up in Cape Town and was and cooperation, and he became its north London provided a haven for many awarded a degree in Civil Engineering president until the position was abolished South African political refugees and a from the University of Cape Town. at his request. wide variety of other itinerants. When From 1953 onwards he was active in After the first democratic, non-racial her husband was released she wished to the Modern Youth Society, a non-racial elections in South Africa Denis remain in London and he remained with organisation in Cape Town. He joined Goldberg founded the development her in London until her death in 2000. other leading white activists in forming organisation Community H.E.A.R.T. Their daughter Hilary died in 2002 from the Congress of Democrats. The Congress Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, (Health, Education and Reconstruction cancer. of Democrats allied itself with the Andrew Mlangeni and Elias Motsoaledi. Training) in the UK in 1995 to assist with Goldberg returned to South Africa in African National Congress and other Denis was the only white and was sent the Reconstruction and Development 2002 and was appointed Special Adviser Congresses in the Congress Alliance. He to a white prison in Pretoria while the Programme in South Africa. Since to Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water was a member of the illegal South African others were sent to . Whilst that date through its Book Appeal, Affairs and Forestry until 2004. He Communist Party, which had been in prison he took degrees in Public Community H.E.A.R.T. has sent continued as Special Adviser to Minister banned by the apartheid regime in 1950, Administration, History and Geography, almost 3 million books to South Africa. Buyelwa Sonjica until 2006 when he after the Nationalist Party came to power. and in Library Science. He was halfway Other projects have assisted with the retired. He was detained in 1960, as was his through a law degree when he was overcoming of the legacy of apartheid, In 2002 Goldberg had married Edelgard mother, and spent four months in prison released after 22 years in prison in 1985. including raising over £1 million for the Nkobi, a German journalist and widow of without trial. On his release he went into exile in Rape Crisis Centre in Cape Town. With Zenzo Nkobi, the son of ANC Treasurer When the underground armed wing London where he joined his family. In the support of German friends Denis also General Thomas Nkobi. Goldberg was of the African National Congress, London he resumed his work in the established Community H.E.A.R.T. e.V. in again widowed in 2006 when Edelgard was founded in African National Congress (ANC) in Essen in in 1996. died after a long battle with cancer. 1961, Goldberg became technical officer. its London office from 1985 to 1994. In 1999 Denis Goldberg was awarded Denis lives in Hout Bay, near Cape Town, In 1963 he was arrested at Lilliesleaf farm, He was spokesperson for the ANC and an Honorary LL.D. degree by Glasgow where he is active in the local community. Rivonia, headquarters of the armed wing. also represented it at the Anti-Apartheid Caledonian University. He has also been He continues to travel abroad on speaking He was sentenced in 1964 at the end of Committee of the United Nations. A large awarded an Honorary PH.D degree by tours. The Randburg ANC branch has the famous to four terms group of US organisations presented the Medical University of South Africa renamed itself the Denis Goldberg of life imprisonment along with Nelson Denis Goldberg with the Albert Luthuli (MEDUNSA). branch. Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Peace Prize in recognition of his work

10 11 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

The Glasgow Mandela-Tambo Lecture 2011

Address by

Professor Denis Goldberg

“MANDELA-TAMBO: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy”

In 2010 he published his autobiography, • In 2011 he was awarded the German City of Glasgow College The Mission: A Life for Freedom in South Cross of the Order of Merit for his 13 September 2011 Africa (STE Publishers, Johannesburg) work in strengthening relations between and a German edition, der Auftrag, Germany and South Africa. ein leben fuer die Freiheit in Suedafrika • In 2012 he was awarded the (Assoziation A Verlag, Berlin and South African Military Veterans Medal Hamburg).. in Platinum for his services in the • Denis Goldberg was awarded the Order armed struggle against apartheid. of Luthuli in Silver by the President of • The Ghandi Development Trust has South Africa in 2010. decided to award him its Satyagraha • UNISON, the UK trade union has made Award for his sacrifices for human him an honorary life member along rights. with Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.

12 13 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

has been achieved is that black South Many leaders of the African people It’s lovely to be here and one says, in case I Africans now feel they are citizens in their gained their knowledge of the modern have left out somebody who is important own land because they have the vote. world at that institution. And in South and feels hurt: “all protocol observed.” They can sit in parliament as she did, and Africa we have just been celebrating the be part of the law making process instead life of one Tiyo Sogo, a poet, a writer, an I don’t normally read speeches but since of being mere objects of the law, because educator, one of the first modernists it this is advertised as a lecture, I am going “we are free from the ‘apartheid crime is said. He studied in Scotland and was to start by reading. I am greatly honoured against humanity.’” married to a Scottish woman. He learned to have been invited to deliver this lecture at the feet of the missionaries, especially, but I prefer to call it a talk, because that I must add that our struggle led to the I think, the Reverend Govan who started is what I am going to do, just talk about definition by the UN General Assembly the college and actually educated black Good Evening. Mandela and Tambo, friends, comrades, of that crime: it is the denial by states children and white children of officials leaders and their legacy as an inspiration of human dignity, of oppression, of in the same school and in the same Since this is alleged to be a lecture I for future generations. exclusion because of race from the classrooms until quite late on. In the end have to start very formally by thanking I want to tell you about my experience of rights contained in the UN Declaration Lovedale College was forced by apartheid my hosts and greeting the dignitaries these two really great people who were of Human Rights, and other such laws to be a segregated institution. present: The Deputy High Commissioner also my friends and comrades and leaders documents. It is a definition that is of South Africa, Councillors of the City of such calibre that we were prepared to relevant today, for example in relation to There were other links, for example of Glasgow, colleagues from Glasgow follow them to the ends of the earth and the Palestinian people in the occupied freedom of the press, as Brian has just Caledonian University, University of beyond. Not because they were populist territories. We need to remember that it’s mentioned. It has been a burning issue Strathclyde and Glasgow University. rabble rousers, but because they were applicable in other countries too. for a very long time and in South Africa I mentioned GCU first because they thoughtful, committed leaders who had in the 19th century a journalist, John just happened to give me an honorary a great thought, a vision, and with that You know, I have often wondered why Fairbairn, founder of a newspaper, fought doctorate so they get priority. The vision a dignified, consistent readiness to Scots should be honouring these two for the freedom of the press in South Principal of the City of Glasgow College find the necessary strategies and tactics South Africans, Mandela and Tambo and Africa. It was very important then and, where we are gathered tonight, the to realize that vision. They were ready then people come and say nice things as you will know, there is a Bill currently chairperson of ACTSA Scotland, who to sacrifice their lives for that vision: a about me as well. It’s very nice to keep passed by Parliament and awaiting to pass as you have heard is also the Honorary vision of freedom, freedom from racial coming back to hear these nice remarks. through the second chamber, the national Consul of South Africa in Scotland. oppression by law in the land of their But there is truly a long history of contact Council of Provinces. The Bill gives They are the sponsors of this evening birth, South Africa, a vision of freedom between Scotland and South Africa. officials the power to declare documents and I thank them all and thank them from want, and respect for the dignity of Of course, the early contact was that classified. Possession of such documents for representing their institutions here. all people. For without dignity, we are all of Scottish soldiers serving the British and citing them for whatever reason, And, then of course, there are the most denied our essential humanity. Empire in the conquest of South Africa. even whistle blowing about fraud, illegal important people of all, ladies and But also there were missionaries and conduct and the like can lead to 15 years gentlemen, the Scottish people. I have an old comrade in Cape Town educators who played an important role in prison. Many of us are unhappy about who recently took part in making a film through institutions such as the Lovedale this for Freedom of the Press is important about my life in which she says that what College in the Eastern Cape Province. today as well.

14 15 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

I must say there is a tremendous literature terrorist by apartheid and its international You have a worker’s Poet Laureate, why should a Scot know that? We know on the links between Scotland and South supporters, should now be this icon that Hamish Henderson. He wrote in the meaning of what Hamish Henderson Africa and since this is not a lecture we honour in this way. It is very nice but translation in his “Freedom Come All Ye”: was saying. just a talk (!), I suggest that you go onto sometimes it’s also painful you know, the internet and look for the material because he was so reviled and we were The fresh wind in the clear days dawning/ And I have to say, we talk about the yourselves. It’s worth doing. reviled for fighting against this awful blows the clouds helter skelter over the Mandela and Tambo Lecture, but we oppression and denial of human dignity bay/ but there’s more than a fresh wind could equally talk about Tambo and In recent years we saw the role of by racism by law, and now people forget blowing/ through the great glen of the Mandela. They were so close. Their lives the Scottish Committee of the Anti- what it takes to win freedom. They think world today/ it’s a thought that will were so intertwined and they are rare Apartheid Movement now called ACTSA that freedom just falls from the trees spread throughout the world. people who despite the years of physical Scotland (Action for Southern Africa) and that Nelson Mandela alone brought He makes it clear that he is indeed separation, one in exile and the other and, as was mentioned earlier, the City freedom. writing about freedom and that also in prison, were very close to each other. of Glasgow recently celebrated the 30th means freedom from harassment by They are two of the greatest of those anniversary of awarding Nelson Mandela was his bosom buddy. They Scottish soldiers (for the Empire of many rare people in my country, South the Freedom the City in 1981. were partners in a law practice. They met course) as I mentioned earlier and he Africa, who would sacrifice everything in the African National Congress Youth says, “broken families in lands we’ve for the goal of freedom and equality for I must say I find it interesting that the League in the 1940’s. Together with others harried/ Will curse ‘Scotland the Brave’ all the people of South Africa. This depth founders of this lecture decided to call behaving like young Turks, young leaders, no more, no more.” Racism will have of African humanism, what Archbishop it the Mandela - Tambo Lecture because they were able to transform the African been defeated – “black and white to each Tutu calls Ubuntu, the guiding spirit of not many people recognise Oliver Tambo National Congress from a petitioning other married.” He continues: and “All the their political beliefs and actions, is what in the way that Nelson Mandela has been small elite group, who tried, by writing bairns of Adam will find bread and barley makes them so special. But of course recognised. beautiful letters in wonderful mission bree and painted room,” when “A black they were, as I have said, great leaders school English, to change the political boy from yon Nyanga/ tears down the evil who inspired us in the darkest years, and The United Nations have declared the policies and social and economic policies gallows of their apartheid masters.” now in the brighter years of our freedom. 18th July, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, as which excluded the African people and International Nelson and Coloured people and Indian people in Well, the gallows have been torn down, Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, there’s asked people to do 67 minutes of good South Africa from their rights as human and we have set about trying to ensure another rare one, who with Nelson works, social work in whatever country beings, into a mass movement, a mass that all the children, all my millions of Mandela was a Nobel Peace Prize winner, they’re in, in honour of Nelson Mandela. activist movement, a movement of mass children, shall have enough to eat and and of course the names of Chief Albert Why this crazy idea of 67 minutes? mobilisation of the people. a decent home to live in. But we South John Mvumbi Luthuli have to be added Well, before he retired he spent 67 years Africans are sensitive to nuances and and FW de Klerk the last apartheid involved in the struggle for freedom There were various campaigns and this would have preferred that the poet had President should be added to them. and for human dignity, so a minute for had its effect on Scottish people as well said “yon black man” rather than “boy”, People revile him, of course, for coming each of those years is what we are asked and really it’s not surprising that Scotland, for those who led and inspired the young so late to understand the immorality of to do. It’s a big thing in South Africa Glasgow in particular, and the institutions activists to overcome apartheid were apartheid, but he made the move, and he and I hope it will grow in importance I mentioned as our hosts should be indeed great men and, in apartheid South did lead the change. I think he put his life around the world. But isn’t it amazing interested in my country and some of its Africa, whites referred to African men of on the line because the apartheid security that this man who was reviled as a greatest leaders. whatever age as “boy”. It was an insult, but forces hated the change. They believed, as 16 17 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

so many military people do, that killing Africa. There are people I could name in Nelson Mandela in his speech set out his the most powerful military force in solves all problems. this room who deserve that award but it childhood, the nature of the oppression, Africa. And, at that point, the decision In the four years between Nelson would be inappropriate to do so. why he’d become a political activist, a was taken to create Umkhonto we Sizwe, Mandela’s release in 1990 and Nelson It seems to me, that the saying, “cometh peaceful activist in the African National the Spear of the Nation, the armed wing. I Mandela becoming president in 1994, the time, cometh the man (or the Congress; why in the the Congress followed into that movement. I had been they murdered between ten and twelve people)” has a certain truth. It was the Alliance with the Indian National arguing for it for a year and I was happy thousand people and probably more in times we lived through that provided the Congress, he followed the satayagraha to see the change of policy. I believed in the hope of turning the wheels back. Yet conditions for the emergence of these principle of Mahatma Ghandi, relying on the need to overthrow the apartheid state, they call it a bloodless revolution because people to greatness. The prize, as I said, peaceful protest and passive resistance; a tyrannical regime, and if it needed force our media in South Africa, and the world, was not recognition by others. The prize and, eventually, why he had turned to the of arms, we were prepared to do it. still find it hard to recognise black people was the achievement of freedom for all armed struggle. He did it with clarity, in as human and their blood as significant our people. a principled reasoned way. He explained Bear in mind, our generation had seen blood. It makes me very angry; not bitter, to the court that there were two turning what had happened in Spain when a angry. There is a difference between these I am sure everyone recalls Nelson points, one was the massacre at Sharpville legitimate social democratic elected two sentiments. Mandela’s closing remarks at the end of when 69 people were murdered and government was overthrown by the fascist his four hour long address to the court in close to 200 people wounded in peaceful states. Britain, America, France and I mentioned these Nobel Prize winners, the Rivonia Trial. To paraphrase, he said, protest against the . There were others all supported the fascists, not the people who have received international “that all his life he had fought against killings in Langa in Cape Town on the peoples’ social democrat government. We recognition but, you know, Oliver Tambo white domination and he had fought same day, though much fewer in number, saw in World War Two, partisans fighting who led the ANC in exile for 30 years, against black domination. He had upheld but Parliament was in session there behind the lines, in Europe, in the Far and held it together is not so recognized. the ideal of a society in which all could and panicked into declaring a State of East against militarist Japan, in Italy 30 years of leading an exile movement is a live together in peace and harmony. He Emergency. 20,000 people arrested. against the fascists there, and I suppose, tremendous achievement because in exile hoped to live to see that ideal achieved, I have to quote Winston Churchill, who movements there are lots of little factions, but if needs be he was prepared to die for My mother went to prison then, and so wanted the guerillas, supported by his lots of frustrated elements but he was able it”. What a moving speech. did I. Now you know where my politics Special Operations Executive, to ‘set to hold it together and I am not quite sure come from! Most had four months in Europe ablaze from end to end.’ how he did it. While he’s never received Hidden behind the words, of course, prison, some had five months, and we We were prepared to do that in South this kind of international recognition, was the challenge to the judge and to came out knowing that nothing had Africa too - to be free. one of the highest awards in our country the whole of white South Africa, to hang changed, other than greater repression. During that war, the western allies, is called The Order of the Companions us. I asked him quite recently why the But we knew we could withstand prison Roosevelt and Churchill, met and they of O R Tambo. People get prizes in his judge didn’t hang us. He said, “because and we went back to our political tasks. published the Atlantic Charter which name instead of him getting a prize. For I challenged him to and he didn’t dare.” “promoted the end of colonialism” as one him the prize was freedom. The award of Well, maybe that was the reason. I think In 1961 there was a general strike against of their war aims which would result from Companion of the Order of O R Tambo is it was the quality of the speech. I think, apartheid policies. It was suppressed with the defeat of the Nazis. We were not going for non-South Africans who contributed as Brian said, this was meant to be a show every bit of military might apartheid to have colonies after World War Two!! significantly to the liberation of South trial, to show what terrorists we were and South Africa could muster. At that time But, America just took over from where Africa and now to the rebuilding of South it turned out that it showed the world the they could put 200,000 men in the field, Britain left off, you know. brutality and immorality of apartheid. 18 19 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

Our people, especially the youth, Nelson related charges. In passing sentence, the to go for Nelson Mandela would have led Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Judge said that the death penalty was the indeed to an uprising but, me, I was the Lembede and Mda, and others, said they appropriate sentence but he would show white traitor to the apartheid cause and were going to make sure that colonialism the only lenience he could, and we started if they topped me, well, the whites would would end in South Africa. That’s why to smile, Nelson too. And when he said have rejoiced and I doubt if my African they wanted a mass movement. They the sentence was life imprisonment we comrades would have risen up in defence wanted an activist movement. These laughed out loud. It was a great moment of me. I’m being politically serious now. things kind of hang together. in our lives but, imagine what sort of a I’m not joking about it, and I said, “but country, what sort of a country if Nelson more than that, comrade Raymond, it’s You know, what was equally important Mandela and Walter Sisulu and the others taken 30 years to make you the leader you about Nelson Mandela as a leader of in that trial had been sentenced to death are, you and the others and we’re going Umkhonto we Sizwe was that he didn’t and had the executions taken place. At a to need you when we come to rebuilding call for armed action and then stand personal level, I have to report that I am our country. “Oh,” he said, “thank you, back. He was the Commander in Chief quite pleased I’m able to be here tonight! comrade, for the compliment.” prepared to take the risks he called upon (audience laughter and interjection “and Denis Goldberg with OR Tambo, when he was others to take. so are we!”.) Thank you, thank you. Many years later, a week before he died, recuperating in Just before the sentence was passed, my I went to visit him in his sick bed in Port He was eventually brought from prison comrade Raymond Mhlaba, who was one Elizabeth and we were laughing about Africa. They were partners in a law firm for some other offences to be Number of the eight convicted in our trial, came this incident because he said, “We never of solicitors. They needed offices near One accused in the Rivonia Trial and to me during a pause in the proceedings, had to put it to the test did we?” and we the Law courts. It was illegal for them to they found his diaries and personal because we were in separate parts of the had a laugh again, all those years later, occupy those offices because they were documents. This was a serious politician. prison: apartheid ruled supreme! He but we had a stone cold sober discussion designated for whites only. But, how can If you are going to be a military man you said, “Comrade Denis, if there are death about whether we should have allowed you practise law if you can’t be near the read military theory. If you are going sentences we will not appeal against ourselves to be topped without a fight or Law Courts? So, they simply occupied to be a politician you read political them. “ “Oh”, I said, “and why not?” and not. offices and the apartheid regime let them philosophy. You seriously analyse he said, “Well, it’s important that we get I want to talk about Oliver Reginald go on, but those offices became political political systems, his notes showed it, and out of the way; let them hang us. Our Tambo or O R as we called him. At the headquarters, so to speak, where people that speech, as I said, transformed the people will be so angry they will rise up time, before the State of Emergency in would allegedly go for legal consultations way in which our liberation movement and overthrow the apartheid regime.” 1960, the ANC National Executive had and… talk politics. I suppose the place was perceived throughout the world, that Martyrdom is quite an appealing thing to sent him abroad to win support for the was bugged but there was not much the we were fighting for democracy, against some, you know. And I said, “You know struggle against apartheid. He was a apartheid system could do about it. prejudice, for equality, for equal rights of comrade, I am not sure that governments kind of super diplomat for the ANC and Oliver Tambo once told me that Nelson all human beings. are as stupid as you think they are. I think he had considerable success in Africa Mandela loved a fight. He was tall and they will wait till they’ve got the situation and in Europe. He followed the ANC’s imposing. When he practised law, At the end of the Rivonia trial the under control then they will top us one at approach of mobilising people to mobilise he would appear in court and white Judge found us guilty of conspiracy to a time and see what happens.” Actually, I governments. I talked about them magistrates would not allow him to sit overthrow the state by force of arms and was afraid they would go for me, because meeting in the 1940’s when they set up at the lawyers tables in the front. They the first black legal practice in South would put a special table for him at the 20 21 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

back, away from all the white lawyers only be free if you believe you can be Adelaide, in London and travelled you are the President and will be the and he would then protest and the free!” In other words, that you can and backwards and forwards up and down President.” The modesty on his part magistrate would threaten him with a fine must overcome the brainwashing by in Africa in piston engine planes, with was not false modesty. It was a genuine for contempt of court, “Sit where I tell the oppressor. It was a very important little or no money, flying from one capital belief that the title was less important you!” Of course, Nelson would have then movement and inspired many young to another, hoping that his hosts would than the work he was doing, and equally appealed and the magistrate’s decision South Africans, who later turned to pay the airfare to the next place. He Nelson Mandela’s speech in the trial, was would have been overturned because of the African National Congress as the had a little suitcase and a little portable the key to the campaign “Free Mandela” the bias and so on because we still had organisation of choice. Not all of them, typewriter. Do you remember old that Tambo led and the ANC and the some honest judges. And so, Oliver told of course, but many. Steve Biko was portable typewriters? Some of you are solidarity movements around the world me that when they wanted a fight, they murdered by the security police. old enough to remember them. Writing carried on for many years. Do you would send Nelson because Nelson loved speeches, persuading people, flying remember the Wembley concert? Do you to tower over his opponent and wag his I was saying that the decision to to New York, to the United Nations remember? Was it 600 million people finger at him. He really did revel in it. undertake the armed struggle really demanding the end of the Rivonia trial, who watched on television? And the big But, O R was sent abroad and after the affected Oliver Tambo’s work because, demanding a definition of apartheid, artists who performed? And you know, decision to undertake the armed struggle once the armed struggle was being mobilizing support, mobilizing for the artists and rock artists, pop artists, their had more or less been taken, Nelson undertaken, there were governments armed struggle. His wife, Adelaide, had managements don’t want controversy but Mandela went abroad. As he couldn’t who had been friendly towards the ANC a very tough time. She lived in London. the issue of racism and apartheid was so get a passport, he simply left and went who were now hostile or lukewarm, They had children. She was a nurse. She strong these rock musicians in Britain abroad, travelled through Africa. and especially colonial governments. worked two shifts to feed the family and and, all over the world took a lead in They have this …, did you know, they provide the pocket money for O R to mobilising support. It was a tremendous There was an amusing incident that he have dual standards about violence survive. And, it’s in the nature of things occasion. Do you remember (singing), talked about. He was in Addis Ababa in and brutality. When they are violent it’s that movements take for granted what “Free, ”? I’m keeping Ethiopia and he was to fly to Accra in all very well; it’s civilizing. When the wives give and sacrifice and I understand my daytime job, I’m not going to sing for Ghana. He got into an Ethiopian airlines oppressed turn round to say we want to now why so often she was angered by a living! plane, looked in the cockpit, the pilot was be free and we are going to take freedom intolerance of her and of women in Nelson Mandela was offered Honorary black and he thought, “is there another by our own means, they say, “violence general. Doctorates and cities gave him the pilot? Is this alright?” He tells the story, to is wrong you know, it’s inhuman.” The But you know O R had been elected freedom of the city, named streets and say, that even he, the leader of a liberation result of this decision on O R was that Deputy President of the ANC before places like, Nelson Mandela Place. movement, had to catch himself and he was no longer just a super diplomat. he had been sent out of the country Universities and students wanted to say, “Why am I so brainwashed?” It’s He was the leader of a movement that and now with the leadership in prison honour him. Then they started offering an interesting comment that he could needed to feed soldiers who’d been through the Rivonia trial and the many them to O R Tambo and he said “No, be so honest about it and talk about it, sent out of the country, needed to find trials throughout the country he was de No, give them to my friend Nelson, he’s to illustrate the point. Steve Bantu Biko countries that would provide place fpr facto the leader. He would not accept in prison.” Until in the end our National was a much younger person, a leader of camps for military training, and to find the title of President. He said, only the Executive said, “You have to accept the Black Consciousness Movement and the countries who would train them and people, the members, can elect him and them and you deserve them,” and so he he summed up his whole philosophical support them, provide the weapons, the he had not been elected so he was Deputy reluctantly agreed. He was that kind of concept of freedom and the struggle military material and so on. President until the exiled National a man. The title, the honours were not for freedom in the statement: “You can O R who had lived with his wife, Executive said, “stop this nonsense, important; doing the work was important. 22 23 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

O R Tambo was a revolutionary And, I can tell you, when I came out of out of the country at the time.) There Nelson Mandela, in prison, would say thinker; he was a humanist, a leader, he prison and people said I must have sold were others involved as well. There was to his comrades, “We cannot lead the could inspire people to follow. When out, he knew there had been negotiations always the need for new responses. On struggle from inside the prison. You I was released and went to the ANC for my release. He didn’t tell anybody, he one occasion after Nelson Mandela was don’t know enough detail, you can’t Headquarters in he would come never said it publicly but he sat me down released I was with him at the airport communicate, you can see things very out from his office into the compound with members of the National Executive going from the VIP lounge at Heathrow clearly because you’re not overwhelmed where there were always people hanging in Lusaka. There were two easy chairs. to his plane and people had been telling by all the petty detail, and the petty around and as he stepped out they would One was taken by our Treasurer General, me that he seemed to be coming more personality clashes that occur in every snap to attention, saluting: ‘Comrade TT Nkobi, a very large man. The other and more remote and authoritarian. He’d movement but you have to leave the Commander,’ and he would sort of I left for the President, Tambo. He said, just come back from , where leadership to the people outside.” saunter over to somebody and say, “How’s “No, no, Denis you’re the honoured guest, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad your uncle”, or some similar remark. He you sit in the comfortable chair,” and he was very authoritarian. I mentioned this Nevertheless, there came a point after knew everybody by name. He knew the sat on a low stool at my knee. I mean to him as the way of opening the topic many years when the apartheid regime families and he had a genuine concern there was to be a serious discussion about of leadership and there was me giving approached Nelson Mandela about for people and I think people loved him my future in our movement and there Nelson Mandela a lecture on leadership. release and he said “No”, what we have and would go to do whatever he wanted. was an argument about who sits in what to talk about is the conditions for the But he wasn’t casual about things. He chair. He was again that kind of a man. A bit cheeky, I suppose, but I have never transformation of our country. He demanded that people do the job. We’re People talked and they asked questions held back when I’ve believed in things. was then communicating with Oliver in a revolution, our people are suffering, and he summed up and he said, “well, He said, “Yes, he and the Prime Minister Tambo outside, who was also involved we have to do the work. I think he was we all think Denis is in our movement, had discussed leadership and they had in negotiations but together with others also known as the Protector, the Protector what are we going to do with him, what agreed that a leader is elected to lead and and the apartheid regime. All under cover of the young and the vulnerable and he work should he be doing” and it ended must therefore lead.” And I said, “Yes, because if we do things openly too many was indeed such a person. All of our up that I became spokesman in London comrade, but collectively.” “No I am the elements get involved and have their people were vulnerable and he protected for the ANC. But it was the calmness of leader,” he said. We both went round this say and you can’t move forward. There us all. the way in which he led the discussion. track a few times and his companions in was a messenger who was able to collect It was great for me to be received in that the car (read bodyguards), their shoulders correspondence from Nelson Mandela In the 30 years of exile politics there way, with respect, and with affection, and were beginning to hunch, the hair on the to take to Oliver Tambo. This messenger were two revolts: one a group of four as a welcoming. I say that I would have back of their necks was standing up. And, read a message in which Nelson said he and a group of eight. It never spread followed him to the ends of the earth. I think Nelson and I agreed at the end, was talking about talks. The messenger further because of the sheer brilliance But what was significant about both that the leader must lead when you have let it be known to others, implying Nelson of his leadership. He had this knack Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo as to find new ways and have to persuade Mandela’s capitulating, he’s talking to the of sometimes not agreeing and not leaders, was their ability to find new others collectively to follow the new way. enemy. This created serious problems disagreeing. He knew where he wanted strategies and new tactics when the Since, he’s not here to argue with me I am inside South Africa and O R Tambo wrote the thing to go and people would argue old ways were no longer effective. I telling you that’s the conclusion we came him a note to ask, “Are you negotiating? and he would say, “yes, that’s very mentioned the Youth League and the to! And that’s the brilliance of these two Why haven’t you told us?” and Nelson interesting, we need to talk about it.” mass mobilization. I mentioned Nelson leaders. That is in fact the way Nelson led, wrote back to say, “We’ve known each In the meantime, it was going in his Mandela leading the development of in practice. And so did OR other for fifty years, our friendship is so direction. the armed struggle. (Oliver Tambo was 24 25 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

deep, how can you doubt me? What I’m There was no sense of “It’s my ANC and and as I said with Nelson and Oliver it talking about is what are the conditions I’m the President.” He was content to say was the same kind of thing. that have to be fulfilled so that we can that he had done his job now you carry have substantive talks. I will not enter into on. He didn’t see freedom. Chris Hani Nelson Mandela was given a second substantive talks without the leadership.” one of our great leaders was assassinated. concert at Wembley. We didn’t know he It was a remarkable answer and of course Oliver Tambo flew from Britain to South was going to be free and suddenly he’s the friendship was so deep between these Africa to attend the funeral. It was too on the stage there and he made a speech. two leaders that the problem was ironed much for him and he died shortly after He made a speech in praise of Oliver out. and before liberation. And so some Tambo. A well deserved praise but there people call him our Moses, who led us to was no sense of I’m bigger than you or In the meantime Oliver Tambo had freedom but didn’t see the promised land. you’re bigger than me. This was about exhausted himself physically. He’d had two comrades, brothers, brothers in one stroke after the other, he would What’s their legacy? Sacrifice, selflessness, arms. I wish our politicians, yours and drag his leg, left leg, when he walked. a vision of humanity, a belief in human ours, could have the sense of a destiny, of Sometimes his speech was a bit affected beings, a country that has a democratic freedom, that overrides the personal. and then he suddenly had a tremendous Denis Goldberg with Nelson Mandela constitution, a wonderful constitution. stroke and was laid low. He was taken to (photograph: Matthew Willman, courtesy of the Many of its conditions we can’t yet fulfil. I am going to stop there to say that for Sweden to recuperate. , Prime Mandela Foundation) We guarantee jobs, we guarantee enough me the biggest difference between living Minster of Sweden, had been a great nice greeting. Winnie, his wife, was next to eat, we guarantee housing, fresh under apartheid and living in my new supporter. He had supported the ANC on to him and she looks at me and she says water …… we’re getting there slowly, South Africa, our new South Africa, humanitarian grounds. “I know that face, you’re quite famous at not fast enough. We make mistakes, we Madame Deputy High Commissioner, home you know,” and they’d gone. And have corrupt people who slow down is that we have the problems, we have And then Nelson Mandela was released off we went to the Presidential Palace the process. We have a terrible legacy terrible issues to resolve but we debate and went to visit O R in Sweden, where where Nelson was to stay and to meet of inequalities, we lack a trained Civil them, we argue them, we protest. he was recuperating. When he arrived it with O R. And when they met each other Service with integrity, we suffer from the Sometimes our police are brutal in their was quite remarkable because there was after 30 years of separation you can’t ills of a corrupt worldwide society, we suppression of it and are being criticised, a queue of thousands of people waiting believe the joy. They glowed and O R who have corrupt MP’s. I think you might by government as well, certainly by our to greet Nelson Mandela. The television was exhausted from all the years and ill know about that in Britain as well. I am people. We don’t all end up in prison and cameraman pushed his backside into was absolutely glowing. He was up on his not condoning it but I am saying that we that’s because we are a democracy. your face as he walked backwards and feet, he was talking, he was chattering and share the problems. you knew the man was coming. And at some point round that time when he It’s very nice to be part of it. suddenly he’s standing in front of me, he handed over the Presidency of the ANC You know, I say I met Nelson again and looks at me and he says “it’s a long time to Nelson Mandela he said something we hadn’t seen each other for 26 years and Thank you for listening to me. since we’ve seen each other, boy.” Well, like, “I have done my best to nurture the yet it was as if no time had passed at all, he was fifteen years older and I was the ANC and protect it and now hand it back, youngest so I was “boy” and, ah, it was a bigger and stronger than ever.”

26 27 MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES

VOTE OF THANKS by Janis Carson, Vice Principal, City of Glasgow College

Friends and colleagues, I’m sure you will saying ‘I do things about South Africa’ – agree with me that it has been an absolute I think ‘doing things’ are the imperative privilege to hear Professor Goldberg words here. Brian has spent many years speak this evening. supporting the causes of freedom, democracy and education. He continues Denis’s perennial optimism, integrity and to be a friend of City of Glasgow College love of life is an absolute inspiration. promoting the aims of Community HEART with our students and without We hope that in recording and publishing him this lecture series would not have this lecture we can share this experience taken place. with a wider audience especially with our students young and old alike who can Thanks also to everyone else who has also be inspired by Denis’s tremendous contributed to make this event possible, struggle against injustice and his colleagues at ACTSA Scotland, Principal commitment and passion for freedom Paul Little for hosting and sponsoring and democracy. On behalf of everyone this event, to the marketing, events and here and those who would have liked to catering teams here at City of Glasgow be able to join us this evening, thank you College and not least to you, our guests, so much for sharing your experiences for coming along this evening, thank you with us. all so much.

Thanks also to the Deputy High Commissioner, Bongiwe Qwabe, for lending your support to this event both today and since the inaugural lecture back in 2006. This lecture has become an important milestone for Glasgow and continues to cement our longstanding relationship with South Africa. Our thanks are also very much due to Brian Filling, Honorary Consul to SA, (From left to right) Bongiwe Qwabe, South African Chair of ACTSA Scotland and Vice Depute High Commissioner, Paul Little, City of Glasgow President of Community Heart. I have College Principal, Brian Filling, Honorary Consul for often heard Brian introduce himself by South Africa, Professor Denis Goldberg, Janis Carson addressing the audience (photograph: Brian Purdie)

28