It did...

...but Mandela's genius was to bring both sides together in peace. Last time I was in-country I went out to Robben Island where I was shown round by an ANC member who'd been a political prisoner at the time. They still live there, voluntarily, alongside some of their former jailers who also now choose to live there, as neighbours and friends. It's the same kind of approach that led to the truth and reconciliation hearings (c.f. "war-crimes" style trials, recriminations and more violence you'd have got more or less anywhere else).

None of which is to deny the ANC's violent past. But to characterise the ANC of the period in the way that Thatcher did was crass and inexcusable. She pandered to the ugly right wing too much (and more than I believe she personally might have chosen to - she was very alert to the need to bring that wing of her party with her, but Denis for one was far more right wing than she was).

Posted By: Old Man, Apr 9, 09:30:18