The End of Apartheid by Robin Renwick

Author:Robin Renwick [Robin Renwick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781849548656
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Published: 2014-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

13 April 1989

I reported to the Prime Minister that I had received a letter on prison notepaper from Nelson Mandela. Mandela had told one of his lawyers, Hymie Bernardt, to pass on his thanks to me for the work we were doing in the townships, and I had relayed this to London. To my annoyance, this found its way into the British press as a supposed message from him to Mrs Thatcher. Mandela wrote to me that ‘If I had wanted to express my views on Mrs Thatcher’s work, or on the policy of the British government on any specific matter, I would have preferred to do so in the course of a face to face discussion with you. Meanwhile, I am happy to request you to pass my very best wishes to the Prime Minister.’

I replied to Mandela: ‘Thank you for your letter, which I was very glad to receive. The Prime Minister’s position is well known. It is that you should be freed and free to express your views. Needless to say, I should be very glad to have a face to face discussion with you. I have been asked to assure you that our efforts will continue to promote the idea of a negotiation in which all parties can participate, in the context of a suspension of violence on all sides.

‘I have, as you requested, passed your best wishes to my Prime Minister. Mrs Thatcher has asked me to send you her best wishes and to say that she looks forward to the day when she is able to discuss these matters with you herself, as she would very much wish to do.’

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