Madiba (2017) s01e03 Episode Script
Part 3: Brains Not Blood and A New World
1 We cannot keep asking people to strike only to end up defenseless in front of the firing squad.
- [indistinct shouting.]
- I propose a campaign of sabotage.
[bomb exploding.]
MALE OFFICER: Nelson Mandela, you are under arrest! This, the first day of the committee's discussion on the policy of apartheid happens also to be the very last day of a trial in South Africa.
JUDGE: The crime that the accused have been convicted of is high treason.
PRISON GUARD: You've come to this island to be forgotten and then to die.
Debbie just had a baby daughter.
My children have grown up and I have not been there.
[screaming.]
No, no, no, no! They've made me struggle.
They can never hurt me again.
- Hey, Ta! - PROTESTERS: Ta! - Ta! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - Hey, Ta.
- PROTESTERS: Ta! Ta, ta! - Winnie! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - Come join us! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - I'm off to work.
- PROTESTERS: Ta! But I'm with you in spirit.
PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! [indistinct shouting.]
MAN: Prime Minister, the central thrust of the act is simple, in township schools all lessons and key subjects must be taught in Afrikaans.
More and more blacks are adopting English at an alarming rate.
If the native wishes to play a useful role in our culture he must be able to speak our language.
Indeed.
But there is resistance.
PRIME MINISTER: Really? In what way? Teachers threatening to strike, pupils refusing to attend classes.
Arrest those kids playing truant.
That shouldn't strike fear into our hearts.
[Chuckles.]
If you think about it in this way, children learning to speak Afrikaans, is not a bad idea.
You think knowledge is the answer to everything.
Not knowledge understanding.
To understand one's opponent is a good thing.
Nothing is a good thing when it is forced upon you against your will.
Yes.
Yes.
This is also true.
Nelson, Winnie will be okay.
She's home now and she is a very strong woman.
But has been arrested, interrogated, tortured because I love her because I married her and chose the path that led here, leaving her alone in the world with two young children.
I abandoned her, Walter.
PROTESTERS: [chanting.]
COMMANDER: Aim.
Fire! - [shots firing.]
- [screaming.]
[phone ringing.]
Social work department.
MAN ON PHONE: This is Mandela? Yes.
This is Winnie Mandela.
MAN ON PHONE: The protest in Soweto, it's out of control.
It's horrible.
The police, they gave no warning.
They started firing, shooting at the kids.
Please, you must come.
RADIO HOST: Widespread rioting in Soweto following student protests this morning.
- [screaming.]
- [shots firing.]
MALE: [on radio.]
Police are advising civilians to stay indoors or risk arrest.
There are unconfirmed reports [shots firing.]
[screaming.]
[shots firing.]
[screaming.]
[glass smashing.]
[helicopter rotors whirring.]
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
The death of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson has sparked days of increasing violence.
Many of the dead are schoolchildren whose protests at the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of their classroom began what is now being called the Soweto uprising.
Over 120 rioters have been killed so far.
What started as peaceful protest descended into chaos at running street battles between They're kids, Oliver.
Kids! And they're leading the charge.
I miss home.
But things are even worse now.
Schoolkids.
Teachers too.
All across Soweto.
They have arrested hundreds.
The anger and defiance of this whole generation, it's like a volcano ready to erupt.
And if it does hmm.
Struggle is entering a new phase.
And the ANC must be prepared to embrace it.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: [on TV.]
ground today and authorities warn that the official - PRIME MINISTER: Switch it off.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
death toll is likely This is deeply disturbing.
We control entire countries.
We protect our borders from terrorists and revolutionaries.
Yet we can't stop a bunch of kids from causing absolute chaos.
They're complaining about the education, yet they burn the schools that we build for them.
You can't apply logic to the blacks.
They don't see the buildings as their own.
They see them as instruments of apartheid.
We will look like idiots if we can't control a bunch of schoolchildren.
Not only in Soweto, right across South Africa.
Our country is on fire, how do we stop this? Let them feel they've won.
Tell them they don't have to learn Afrikaans.
We've got bigger problems than their hatred of our language.
We've become complacent.
We put away their leaders on an island and we thought that would be the end of it.
But they grew new leaders.
That Steve Biko and his black consciousness ideology stirring up the youth.
We must be vigilant.
We must cut off those ringleaders.
I want them destroyed starting with Steve Biko.
[door opening.]
[door shutting.]
Thank you for coming today.
You're a loyal supporter for our cause.
See you inside.
Hello [unintelligible.]
.
I want to introduce you to Steve Biko.
A man of the future.
Mr.
Biko, I have heard of you.
So tell me, what are your plans for the future? Stay and see for yourself.
[applause.]
Black consciousness means pride in black culture, in being a black person.
Black consciousness does not need the approval, the cooperation, the support of white liberals.
- ALL: Yes! - Black consciousness needs only the belief in itself and in its absolute right to stand up and fight the oppression.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
Black consciousness leads to black power.
- [applause.]
- [cheering.]
At the back we have Winnie Mandela.
Winnie, please come.
Speak to us.
- [applause.]
- [cheering.]
CROWD: [chanting.]
Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! - [applauding.]
- [chanting.]
Winnie! Winnie! [chanting continues.]
- [applause.]
- Winnie! Winnie! Steve Biko is right.
Black consciousness is the route to freedom.
- Yes.
- [applause.]
- [whistling.]
- CROWD: [cheering.]
And our freedom is something we must claim ourselves.
Yes.
We must break the chains of oppression ourselves.
- Yes.
- Move over Foster! - CROWD: Yeah! - [applause.]
Exactly.
It is not you who will break us.
It is ourselves alone who will break you.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
[chanting.]
- [commotion.]
- [shouting.]
Winnie! Winnie! - Biko.
- [shouting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! Where is Biko? [shouting.]
The police! [jail door opening.]
- GUARD: Come on.
- BIKO: Argh! [gasping.]
GUARD: We've been waiting for you, Mr.
Biko, you are gonna wish so much that you're with your friends on Robin Island.
Turn your face back to me? - [punching.]
- Cheeky bastard.
- [punching.]
- [groaning.]
[gasping.]
[sirens.]
[door breaking.]
What do you want? Pack your things.
You're being banished to Brandfort.
Brandfort? That is the middle of nowhere! Don't touch my stuff! Always going on about having your freedom.
Now you've got it.
[locks clanking.]
Hey, hey look at me.
[groans.]
Look at me.
They told us to keep you alive.
[water splashing.]
[gate shutting.]
[locks clanking.]
[shouting.]
What's going on? I don't know.
PRISONERS: [chanting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! [chanting continues.]
Quiet! [chanting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! [singing.]
Thirteen Western nations attended Biko's funeral.
Over 15,000 people were there.
This international interference with the affairs of our state is dangerous.
The President of the United States has publicly stated that America is going to re-examine its relationship with us.
What the hell does that even mean? As if I haven't got enough on my plate already with this trumped up investigation of my personal finances.
And now there's Biko.
He fell and struck his head is that the best we could come up with? He fell and struck his head.
I couldn't care if he's dead but who the hell was stupid enough to smash him up like that.
What we have to do now is contain these agitators.
Unless we control this madness we will end up being an oppressed minority in our own country again.
We need to show the rest of the world we have things under control and we are going in the right direction.
MALE REPORTER: [on TV.]
Police have denied any role in Biko's death.
But published photographs of his badly beaten body - suggest he - I can't shake it.
What? This feeling.
Here I am in Mozambique, hundreds of miles away, yet I never feel safe.
Never feel they won't hunt me down or you, for that matter.
Shh, shh, shh.
You mustn't.
It is not enough to stop me writing or teaching or speaking out.
It's an awful choice.
It's a God awful price.
But you can't dwell on it.
You couldn't get through the day.
I don't dwell about me.
But, you I never know where you are from day to day.
Today you're here, yesterday you were in London, tomorrow [unintelligible.]
.
Not so fast.
Why couldn't we just be born content with - [door knocking.]
- Are you expecting anyone? It's just Chris.
I'd told him you'd arrived.
[sighs.]
RUTH: Chris, you look striking.
Ruth.
[laughs.]
How are you? I rushed right over.
Comrade, you arrived safely.
[laughing.]
Yeah.
Oh, sorry.
I forgot to salute you, Commander Chris Hani.
Thanks.
Thanks.
But, homage must be paid to the leader we've just lost.
An inquest has been set up to investigate his murder.
Which they'll absolutely clear the police of any wrongdoing.
Before he was killed, Biko reached out to Oliver to set up a meeting in Botswana.
Ah.
He's finally come to understand that our guerilla fighters make the ANC a force to be reckoned with.
Such a loss.
No one's held such sway since Nelson.
Has there been any word from him? Not recently.
But Oliver's called a meeting for the leadership in Ghana.
We must travel together.
MALE REPORTER: [on TV.]
The apartheid government Is under pressure to answer the activist's mysterious demise.
[church bells ringing.]
You know, Ruth, your mailbox is so full, people are going to start thinking you're the secretary of the ANC and the Director of the University.
Well if you want mail from people, Aquino, you have to be a better correspondent.
AQUINO: [laughing.]
[explosion.]
These letter bombs they are cowards.
So many.
How many more lives, Madiba, before our liberation? Hmm? Sometimes it is, uh hard to be, as you say optimistic.
No matter how wrong our calculations have been in the past, no matter what difficulties we face in the future, our freedom will be brought about by the strength of our organization and by the sheer determination of our people.
MALE REPORTER: Mrs.
Mandela, you were forced from your home in Soweto, and now this interim place where you were held in isolation has been burnt.
Who do you think did this? It is the South African government, through their security branch.
Do you think it's possible they're responsible for the death of Ruth First? Anything is possible with a morally corrupt government that does not value a human life.
MALE REPORTER: And are you going to keep on struggling? The struggle goes on.
There's never been a doubt about that.
And when the struggle is over, who's going to lead the people? Mandela.
Mandela.
I wonder which Mandela she means? Well, she doesn't say Nelson Mandela.
Just Mandela.
Something has got to be done to stop her.
The people love her, Joe.
She has been dear friends with my wife since they were young girls.
She says and does whatever she wants, Oliver.
She's uncontrollable.
Ruth would have kicked you for talking about a woman like that.
What I wouldn't give to have a good old argument with Ruth about that.
I'm sorry, Joe.
I'd just been with her.
If only I'd I'd told her so much.
How were you supposed to know? None of us could have known.
Well at least it was quick.
At the very least, we need to set up a crisis committee to deal with Winnie.
How to handle her without burning Nelson.
Yes.
Of course.
[seagulls crooning.]
I've been told that upon my release, for six months I'll be living under house arrest in Durban.
Durban? That's close to where Winnie is.
Any message to her? Oh, she knows it.
But tell her anyway that I think of her constantly.
And eat some good food for me, yeah? - [laughs.]
- After 12 years of being here with your chaps, even a cup of cold tea and a stale biscuit - will taste like food for a king.
- [laughs.]
You'll be drinking English tea with Oliver in London as soon as the ANC can arrange it.
I'll slip out of the country as soon as possible.
Take all of your messages with me.
Yes.
The priority now is international pressure.
Economic sanctions.
Make sure that Oliver knows that we are in total accord.
Last week a gala raises funds for arms.
Now a royal summit.
You know, Oliver, I think you look better in army fatigues.
All in a day's work.
- Chef Buthelezi.
- Oliver.
Joe.
You look well.
You too.
Your contingent is as big as an army.
But only the ANC can afford a military wing.
We sleep on mats in the rain.
Nothing quite as princely as this.
Please sit.
My agreement with the South African government has no underlying economic advantage.
Leading a self-governing Zulu state is in the best interest of my people.
And to some self-serving.
Establishing separate nations inside of a bigger nation has never been a goal of the ANC.
But our mutual goal, abolishing apartheid.
Now, that has always been the same.
At home, Inkatha is strong.
Now we can continue to lead the movement internally and the ANC can fight the movement externally internationally.
We will fight from wherever we are with whatever we've got.
Now you have asked for our blessing for greater recognition in the international community, that is impossible if we are at odds.
Henceforth, the unity of the ANC and Inkatha shall never be questioned.
I will continue to call for the release of all political prisoners and the unbanning of political organizations in exile.
To the world our allegiance and priorities must remain unambiguously aligned.
The ANC and Inkatha will move forward and oppose apartheid as a unified front.
I give you my word.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Photos please.
Yeah, that's nice.
Shake hands.
Thank you.
Good move.
Unifying with us will ensure the prosperity of the Zulu nation.
And self-rule, more importantly.
For the greater good of all of South Africa.
- PHOTOGRAPHER: Mr.
Vorster.
Mr.
Buthelezi.
- Camera please.
PHOTOGRAPHER #2: That's nice.
Thank you.
- Unbelievable.
- OLIVER: Hmm.
He agreed to align himself with the ANC and now he's opposing international sanctions.
The government is aware that Buthelezi gives them credibility.
They're using him.
Reinforcing a perception that Inkatha is the only dominant black party of South Africa.
In the interest of both sides, Inkatha and the Homeland survive on government subsidies.
The powerful Zulu chieftain and the leader of the influential Inkatha Freedom Party said, "I urge my friends in South Africa to renounce violence.
I urge my friends in the rest of the world not to impose economic sanctions on South Africa.
" The message sent on Robin Island is that international pressure is more important than the armed struggle.
Only pressure from the outside can bring this to a head.
We need to shift the world's perception that the ANC leads black South Africa.
ANC must be the voice the world listens to.
The government offered Nelson his freedom if he agreed to live in one of the homelands, like Buthelezi, and stay out of politics.
Nelson refused.
It's a great story if you think about it.
Only a true leader would sacrifice his own freedom for his people.
I've been thinking about this for quite some time.
Now, more than ever, the world needs a symbol to rally around for our cause.
Freeing Nelson Mandela could be that symbol for the freedom of all South Africa.
It's brilliant.
We could do something like: "Release Nelson Mandela now".
Free Nelson Mandela.
[The Specials singing "Nelson Mandela".]
Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela Oh, I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela Prime Minister John Vorster has resigned.
Thank you, Warden Brand.
"The PM resigns after 12 years in the top job, alleged misuse of public funds.
Security Minister, Van Den Burgh, also implicated.
" Who is next in line? The Minister of Defense, Pieter Willem Botha.
The economic situation is not improving, Kobie.
I've just been told that a major international bank is threatening to withdraw support unless we engage with black leadership.
They want us to negotiate with them.
Pray to God it doesn't come to that.
Prime Minister, to that end I've given this serious thought.
We've played our hand with Buthelezi long enough.
We have no other choice but to be pragmatic.
BOTHA: Nelson Mandela? Yes, this from a top psychologist.
"Mandela is exceptionally motivated.
He has an extraordinarily powerful memory and maintains outstanding personal relations.
He's always friendly and respectful towards authority figures.
" This is a leader of a banned organization that has committed acts of violence against us, waged an armed struggle.
Eighteen years in prison can change a man and perhaps now the idea of power sharing might appeal to him.
He is the symbol of a movement that none of us could have foreseen.
Every day we delay dealing with him, the pressure against our system mounts.
Perhaps we could transfer him off Robin Island to say, Pollsmoor prison? Conduct meetings with him in utmost secrecy.
MALE GUARD: Come.
Come.
Best of all, you get your own toilet.
Good morning, Nelson.
How are you today? I am fine, Warden Brandt.
I didn't realize having extra space would, uh, take so much getting used to.
Well, don't get too comfortable.
Orders have just come in to transport you to an important meeting today.
Mr.
Mandela.
Welcome Mr.
Mandela.
- Welcome to my home.
- Thank you.
And forgive me while I catch my breath.
Ah.
This is the first vista I have seen without a hint of steel or barbed wire in quite some time.
Take as long as you want.
I I want you to be comfortable here.
I trust your conditions at Pollsmoor are more acceptable.
I would scarcely call any conditions short of freedom acceptable, Mr.
Banner.
Well, that's what we're here to talk about and please call me Kobie.
I've studied your name Nelson Rolichlala Rolihlahla Dalibhunga.
Dalibhunga.
The convener of dialogue.
Yes.
It is the name that was given to me at my initiation into manhood.
Although it is you who started this conversation.
Well, for starters, may I please call you Nelson? Yes, if it makes you comfortable.
Dankie.
I felt it necessary for us to sit down together and start negotiating about the path forward.
Well, it is very difficult for us to begin negotiating if our organization is still behind bars.
What shall we call what we are doing right now? We are merely talking.
And it is my own personal view that we begin a discussion.
But you must understand that I am not the President of the ANC.
Our leader is Oliver Tambo.
GENERAL: If the blacks kill each other, they will forget all about fighting us.
General, are you suggesting we provide military training for Inkatha? Merely to defend themselves.
Let Inkatha Zulus return to their warring nature.
If the blacks turn on each other, moving forward towards a unified democracy would be a moot point.
I will make sure there is no connection back to our military.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
[car approaching.]
Take that thing off.
[shouting.]
[gunshots firing.]
[cheering.]
- [gunshots firing.]
- [glass breaking.]
[shouting continues.]
[cheering.]
We are not going to fight this Government with AKA 47s.
CROWD: No! - Because we haven't got any.
- CROWD: Yes.
- We have stones.
- CROWD: Yes! - We have boxes of matches.
- CROWD: Yes! - We have got these hands.
- CROWD: Yes! - Our power.
- CROWD: Yes! - WINNIE: The people's power! - CROWD: Yes! - We shall dismantle apartheid.
- CROWD: Yes! - To hell with Botha regime! - CROWD: Yes! - WINNIE: Power to the people! - CROWD: Power.
- Power to the people! - CROWD: Power! [chanting in Xhosa.]
[applause.]
[singing.]
Yes, collaborator.
Police.
- Traitor! - No, no, no, no.
Please! [shouting.]
[inaudible.]
Committee cannot control her.
She will not listen to anyone.
And now they say she's holding hostages in her home.
She continues to speak out about whatever she likes, in public.
We have tried to protect Nelson from this so that he can concentrate on other matters.
But we have no choice.
He must be the one to deal with this crisis.
We must tell him everything we know.
We received word.
Nelson already knows.
The extent of the accusations? We're hearing rumors that Nelson's negotiating with the government, which is, on one hand, a good thing.
On the other hand, it's going to raise questions, with some people, about bargains he may be making.
Stop.
No more.
I will not listen to any more talk about Nelson selling out.
There's no talk of that coming from me.
I'm certain that Nelson is unwavering.
He will always uphold the ANC's mandate.
We have to maintain the higher moral ground.
Calm down, Oliver.
Sit down.
You're working yourself to death.
Every day it is something else.
My mind is pulled and it goes in different directions.
Do you think that leadership in exile is concerned about these private talks? That I am selling out? Oliver could never think that you would sell out.
Hmm.
We have not seen Oliver in nearly a quarter century.
I don't trust the Government with this prison move.
They're trying to divide and weaken us.
Yes.
Of course, you are right.
But I do believe that the time has finally come.
They have finally accepted that they have to talk to us.
It's not the perfect situation, but how can I walk away from such an opportunity? I won't stand in your way.
I trust that you know what you are doing.
Actually, I am more concerned about how to handle the delicacy of my domestic situation.
I have heard too many things.
Second hand, of course, from [unintelligible.]
.
So have I.
Word is travelling.
There's rumors about her.
The necklacing, kidnappings of so-called traitors, the gangs of thugs that she commands.
What else have you heard? Nothing for sure.
And I pray that they are only rumors.
She is my wife, Walter.
My wife.
A political person.
A good person.
There will always be those forces that want to tarnish her.
Already they have done so much to try and destroy her.
Nelson.
For your own peace of mind, we must get word to the ANC to find out the truth about this.
I have had a certain amount of peace and protection here.
She has had none of that.
No further military action.
I am not prepared to lead white South Africans on the road to abdication and suicide.
I agree.
There's no answer in trying to fight it out.
I am committed to peaceful negotiation.
Sir, we will press ahead with more apartheid reforms, then.
In their direction.
We have crossed the Rubicon, there can be no turning back.
And what about Mandela? If he gives a commitment to non-violence, I will release him.
He has already rejected that offer, Sir.
Then he must reconsider.
We will wear him down.
Move him to even more comfortable surroundings.
Give him more and more of a taste of freedom.
Get him to understand there is no way I will unban the ANC.
Ball is in his court.
[gate creaking.]
Well, I'm glad they let me take you today.
Tomorrow is the public holiday.
Oh, yes.
The Day of the Covenant, your day of thanksgiving to God.
Twenty-seven years ago we began the armed struggle.
Twenty-seven years.
Well, Nelson, let me take your boxes out the back and then it's it's goodbye from me.
I've got to get back to Pollsmoor.
You know Warden Brand, you always behaved correctly toward me.
It is wardens like you, men like you, that have validated my belief in humanity all these years behind bars.
Thank you.
Let me get those boxes.
RONALD REAGAN: I want to work with the congress to advance America's policy towards South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER: Leading democrats who introduced amendments calling for total disinvestment in South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: Exxon joins Coca-Cola, Kodak, Revlon, and others to become the 87th company to leave in two years.
And as we decided we could not do business with Hitler, we must now decide that we cannot do business with South Africa.
We can't afford to keep our economy afloat.
We are near bankrupt.
Mr.
de Klerk, our air strikes against the neighboring states have further increased our debt.
In the interest of eliminating unsolicited interference in South African affairs yeah, yeah.
Now Chase Manhattan is refusing to rollover our debt.
This morning I tried reaching out to the President of the Federal Reserve but the rand is falling.
Our inputs are being curbed.
Even the committee appointed by Botha has no viable solutions to offer.
I will assemble as many of the ministers as possible for an emergency session at my house in Pretoria.
We have to present a united front when we approach him.
If we do not compromise now, Buck, disaster is inevitable.
Are you now beginning to quote the words of Nelson Mandela? Thank you.
It pains me to ask you this, but are any of the things that you are accused of true? [sighs.]
It is propaganda.
You should know better than anyone not to believe everything you read in the paper.
NELSON: That is not what I asked you.
You must disband the football club.
The football club looks after me.
- They keep me safe.
- They must go.
But, darling, there is a Walter Sisulu football club.
Why can't we have a Mandela United football club? The Walter Sisulu football club does not have members who are terrorizing the community, who are behaving like thugs.
The Mandela United football club has members who are accused of murder.
That is nonsense.
I will let the boys go if they want to.
Get rid of them.
I have spoken on it now.
I do not want to hear any more about any of these things.
It is quiet in this garden of yours.
But out there, there is war.
Then behave like a soldier.
You must be disciplined and learn to follow your leaders.
You forget, I'm a leader too now.
You have the arrogance to come and tell me, after 53 years of service to the National Party, pack your bags and go and sit in the wilderness? What you fail to grasp is that economics and politics cannot be separated.
How long do you expect this to carry on? Two, three years? We are being strangled by these sanctions and if the strikes on the violence continues, there will be a full scale bloody revolution.
The cabinet is unanimous on this.
We want you to retire willingly.
Don't be mistaken.
It is only our might that keeps the lid on this pressure cooker that is South Africa.
Take off the lid and you will have Armageddon.
The problem is most of the party believes we're dealing with Armageddon now.
If we do change course, the blood will flow ankle deep in our streets.
Four, five million people will lie dead and the situation will remain exactly the same as it always was.
We need to address the problem now before we have an all-out race war.
I feel sorry for all of you.
You will not be able to control the forces you unleash.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Breaking news, P.
W.
Botha has stepped down from office.
The National Party [unintelligible.]
has chosen Education Minister Can you believe it? Botha is gone.
What is it? Oliver has had a stroke.
They have rushed him to Europe for treatment but it's bad.
It seems he is paralyzed down the whole right hand side of his body.
And it seems he cannot speak.
[sighs.]
Oliver.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
The wall was crumbling.
The sledgehammers in the hands of men not born when it went up.
Then, just before 10 o'clock, the moment Berliners had waited 28 years for.
CROWD: [cheering.]
MALE NEWSREADER: [on TV.]
The symbol of the communist iron curtain has fallen.
We are witnessing a lifetime moment in history.
The cold war is over.
This symbolic breach in the structure that separated millions and claimed hundreds of lives.
West German riot police stop the crowds surging into communist soil.
But, by then, they'd made their point.
NELSON: Dear President de Klerk, in this time of great change around the world, it is my sincere wish that you and I may open a new dialogue concerning the future of South Africa.
You must give up this idea of group's rights and separate homelands.
It makes it look like you are trying to reform apartheid, to make it acceptable instead of abandoning it all together.
But we have to deal with white fears of black domination.
Then we have to change their thinking.
The idea of different groups of people that is the cornerstone of apartheid.
We want everyone in this country to think of themselves and everyone around them as South Africans.
Not as part of such and such a group.
I'm a pragmatist, Mr.
Mandela.
We have to move towards a workable solution.
For too long, you and the ANC have been seen as the problem, instead of part of the solution to the problem.
President de Klerk, I believe that you are a man we can do business with.
But it is pointless to continue to talk about releasing me.
If the ANC's conditions are not met, they have not changed.
Release political prisoners, unban our organizations, allow the exiles to return home and lift this state of emergency.
- [cheering.]
- [car horns honking.]
[Hugh Masekela singing "Bring Back Nelson Mandela".]
Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto I want to see him walking down the streets Of South Africa Hey! Bring back home Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Today, after nearly three decades in prison, Nelson Mandela is a free man.
Winnie Mandela at his side, they walk together into a new future for South Africa.
- [cheering.]
- - [cheering continues.]
- MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Sent to Robin Island at the age of 46, now leaving Victor Verster Prison at 72.
He has never wavered in his commitment to his people, to justice.
No matter the cost.
- [cheering.]
- Bring back Nelson Mandela MALE NEWSCASTER: After so many years in Soweto, the ANC and its supporters around the world must be savoring this day of victory.
Vindication for their efforts and a new era for their country.
Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto I want to see him walking down the streets CROWD: [cheering.]
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
And the [unintelligible.]
starts moving past the jubilant crowds and the many members Who would ever have believed it? One day Nelson Mandela would be a free man, that we were the ones who freed him.
Just because Mandela is free, doesn't mean he or the ANC is going to lead the country.
[door knocking.]
Mr.
President, Chief Buthelezi.
Ah, come in.
Chief Buthelezi, my good friend.
Good to see you.
We have a lot to talk about.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
After his release, Mandela was driven to a massive rally at Cape Town city hall, where more than 100,000 supporters gathered to hear him speak.
He delivered an impassioned speech declaring a commitment to seek peace and reconciliation and the birth of a democratic and free South Africa.
[applause.]
Desmond.
[laughs.]
[laughing.]
Magnificent speech.
Oh, thank you.
I had to borrow my wife's glasses just to read it.
- One would never know.
- BOTH: [laughing.]
The whole world is stunned at how good you look.
- And so am I.
- BOTH: [laughing.]
I have to stop pinching myself.
- Are we dreaming? - No, no.
This is real.
Heh.
You are most welcome to stay at my residence tonight, - my dear friend.
- Thank you.
But I would like to sleep in my own bed tonight in Soweto.
But give me the honor of hosting, eh? It is late in the day and we must think about security.
A phone call for Madiba.
Oh, phone call for you.
It's Oliver.
- Yes.
I will be back.
- DESMOND: [laughing.]
Hello, Oliver, are you there? Madiba.
Don't try to speak.
I can hear you breathing.
I know you are there.
I heard your salute to me in your speech.
NELSON: Yes.
Thank you for leading the ANC during the most difficult circumstances.
And now you have to fight for yourself, eh? For your health.
It is so good to hear you, my old friend.
[sigh.]
- How does freedom feel? - Oh, wonderful.
Wonderful.
We're proud of you, Mr.
Mandela.
- Excuse me.
Excuse me.
- Thank you.
- Good day.
Good day.
- Excuse me.
Thank you.
Where is Winnie? She is there.
Ah, I see.
Are you having a good time? Yes, Tata.
Bishop Tutu is insisting that we stay here tonight.
Why not? It is very comfortable for you here.
And I would like to have more private time for us.
There is plenty time for that.
- Excuse me, Madiba.
- Hmm? There is someone I would like you to meet.
Oh, all right.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Jubilation as Nelson Mandela returned to his home in Soweto for the first time in 27 years.
The day has passed by huge parades and dancing in the streets as thousands of Sowetans welcomed him back to the township.
The release of Nelson Mandela has been greeted with joy through most of South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: [on TV.]
Heightened political tension surrounding Mandela's release have triggered renewed fighting in several townships in this region.
Violence has also increased between the mainly Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party and Nelson Mandela's now unbanned, African National Congress.
Efforts of reconciliation between Mr.
Mandela and Chief Buthelezi have so far failed.
These have been two of the bloodiest months in the history NELSON: Please forgive me, Mr.
President, if I begin by stating the obvious.
It seems clear to me that our first task must be to address the climate of violence and intimidation whatever the source may be, that must be a precondition for any negotiation.
Agreed.
The ANC and the National Party must both be able to state truthfully and sincerely that negotiations are being conducted in good faith.
Mr.
Mandela, what other basis can negotiations be conducted? CHILDREN: [laughing.]
I must meet face to face with Buthelezi.
It is the only solution.
I don't think that will go down well.
[door opening.]
- Hello, darling.
Walter.
- Winnie.
Darling, will you make some more tea for our guest, please? Yes, Tata.
I will not defy the ANC on this.
If I do so, I will look arrogant.
I will respect the collective leadership.
But, if I could just sit down with Buthelezi, face to face, perhaps we could resolve some of Buthelezi is a political prostitute.
The government knows that if they keep stoking this war between Inkatha and the ANC, they'll be able to prolong their stay in power.
I have no reason to believe that de Klerk is anything but a man of integrity.
I do not believe he wants to see this country burnt to the ground.
Our people need power.
They need arms.
This repression and the violence it creates cannot be ended if we attack each other.
It is very well to think intellectually.
But if you've seen young children die in front of you and you've been tortured and abused, then you will know that if you wake up in the middle of the night because of the screaming, you have a gun to reach for.
So you meet brutality with brutality? There is only brutality out there.
Don't worry about the tea, Winnie.
I must be getting back.
Don't get up.
I will let myself out.
WINNIE: Bye, Walter.
When you finally go out there and you meet with the people, you will feel their anger.
I know what my own anger feels like, and I refuse to accept that our long sacrifice has turned our hearts to stone.
I have learned to remove anger and bitterness from my heart because I know that great anger and violence never built anything.
Least of all a nation.
If you and Joe, with your credentials as leaders of the armed struggle, tried to sell this idea to the people, they will listen.
But abandon the armed struggle now? Suspend it.
We do not give up our arms.
It will put the onus back on them and it will be what they least expect from us.
I hear this, Nelson.
But the Government is behind the Third Force that's creating violence in our township.
I'm sure of it.
Yes.
But we don't know for sure.
Call their bluff.
We suspend the armed struggle.
We show them our peaceful intentions.
It will be a bold and decisive move.
But we must have the courage to take it.
MALE REPORTER: Once again, a political march through a South African city has turned to violence as tension builds in this country by the day.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Smoke cleared to reveal the casualties of the city center battle.
The bloody streets of a country whose transition to democracy is becoming increasingly murderous.
DE KLERK: I had nothing to do with the training of Inkatha or the money that went to them.
I've got no idea where this is coming from.
Are you telling me that you know nothing of a Third Force? This is just as much a mystery to me as it is to you.
I've been told this is a tribal thing.
That is nonsense and you know it.
I am beginning to doubt your peaceful intentions, President de Klerk.
Mr.
Mandela, I only want a peaceful solution for South Africa.
There is no Third Force operating under my orders.
I cannot control this violence.
If the people who are dying out there were white, would you still tell me that? Black lives are cheap.
I do not think that.
President de Klerk, I have called you a man of integrity as we try to move forward.
I so want to believe that you are.
[door closing.]
Are you taking another trip? How long are you going for, this time? You are leaving me? I can no longer reconcile myself with your behavior.
So you talk to all those Afrikaners who tortured me, who destroyed our family life and butchered our people.
But me Am I not good enough to talk to? Am I not worth your forgiveness? - It's not the same thing.
- How is it not the same thing? I have been home for weeks.
Weeks.
Not once have you come to our bed unless you thought that I was asleep.
You've been home [unintelligible.]
.
You don't know me anymore.
I will never regret building a life with you or all the love and affection I have felt for you.
All of these years, from the moment I first met you, Nomzamo.
Then stay with me.
It will be like it was before.
That way that it was before that way is no more.
[door slamming.]
[gasps.]
[applause.]
Is it true that you are Comrade Oliver Tambo? Is it true that you are Nelson Mandela? OLIVER: [sobbing.]
Chris has just come from a tour of our military camps.
He says that there is a serious lack of health facilities in Tanzania.
He is a good commander, but I know that he will resist this idea for us to pull back our military offensive.
These are the qualities of a General.
Our new generation is in good hands.
Yes, but you must help him to understand, Oliver, that to suspend the violence now will help with our negotiations.
Yes, this de Klerk, what do you make of him? He says he is committed to bringing forth a true democracy and an election.
But, I am not sure that his intentions are clear.
During my travels this month, it has become apparent that he is not happy with the international community wanting to support the ANC.
So I will continue to work with him in the hope that he will keep his promise.
- Mmm.
- Look here.
What do you think? Shall we have a snort? Or is it against doctor's orders? We will account this as one of our top secrets.
- Yes, yes.
- Do not Adelaide.
Did someone say Adelaide? [laughing.]
It's almost four o'clock, Oliver.
We just sat down.
You see? She is a dictator.
And not the benevolent kind, either.
[laughing.]
You are lucky to have such a loving wife.
I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
Madiba.
[laughing.]
- CROWDS: Now is the time.
- Now is the time.
- CROWDS: Now is the time.
- [unintelligible.]
- CROWDS: [unintelligible.]
- Nelson Mandela! CROWDS: Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! [cheering.]
We want to unite our people.
Not just Indians, coloreds, Afrikaans.
We want to unite Afrikaans, coloreds, Indians and whites.
This is why we have been talking with the National Party.
We want this peace.
This spirit of reconciliation, this spirit must not only unite the government and ourselves, it must build and bring our people.
Those who have been working with the enemy, they must now work with us to build this new South Africa.
[cheering.]
- [unintelligible.]
- CROWDS: [unintelligible.]
I give you now our soldier for peace, Chris Hani.
[cheering.]
Mandela for President! CROWDS: Our President! Mandela for President! CROWDS: Our President! [cheering.]
[singing.]
- Here's to Nelson.
- Nelson.
- Nelson.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- [glasses clinking.]
So, well.
What is to be done with Buthelezi and his right-wingers? It's clear they don't want these negotiations to work.
They don't want an election.
Well, we've suspended our military might in good faith.
I now believe that our only offense is our message.
Their strategy is to divide.
- Ours must be to unite.
- Mmhm.
And that's the message you must take to the people.
It was indeed Samora who said: "For the nation to leave, the tribe must die.
" So I have your support? Yes, yes, of course.
We still have our might, Chris.
Hmm? - [cars honking.]
- [wind gusting.]
[car door shutting.]
[gunshots firing.]
The assassination of Chris Hani has unleashed a profound sense of frustration and anger amongst South African youth sparking widespread protests and rioting.
The country now stands on the brink of civil war.
Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white.
A white man full of prejudice and hate committed a deed so foul that now our whole country teeters on the brink of disaster.
The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shockwaves throughout our country and the world.
Our grief and our anger is tearing us apart.
Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for, the freedom of all of us.
Now is the time for our white compatriots to reach out with an understanding of the grievous loss to our nation.
Now is the time for the police to act with sensitivity and restraint.
This is a watershed moment for all of us.
He was the young leader that we all prayed for.
He was like a son to me.
Me too.
And our future.
You did well, Madiba.
The entire nation was calmed by your words.
We need a date for the election.
A real date set in stone.
There is still a chance.
We have to divert a crisis.
It could cripple our country for years to come.
We still have a chance.
We will have an election with or without those who are against it.
We will frustrate the objective of the people who killed Chris.
We will have an election.
[phone ringing.]
Yes? Hello? Where is he? All those years ago in prison I had a conversation with you in my head.
Then, I was lucky enough to talk to you again in person.
I suppose now I shall have to wait to see you again, to talk to you on the other side.
You bought us our first decent suits, Walter.
You encouraged us to practice law together.
You groomed us to be leaders, Walter.
You were being groomed by the cause long before I met you.
I just recognized qualities in both of you.
I still see things in you that you don't see in yourself.
You have experienced great loss in your life, Nelson.
But you have a limitless capacity to love.
You must not think this is the end of happiness for you.
[phone ringing.]
Hello? Yes? Yes.
Set in stone.
Ha.
That is good.
We have an interim constitution and an election date.
27th April, 1994.
[scoffs.]
It's what the three of us always wanted.
[African music.]
Even my parents, who have passed away, have been wishing to see this one day.
They couldn't.
But today I have voted for them.
There are people who died for this.
Most people who fought for this, they are not here.
They couldn't take us to the promised land, but now here we are.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
[applause.]
[cameras clicking.]
WOMAN: Mr.
Mandela? Mr.
Mandela? Are you ready to take the oath of office, Sir? MANDELA: The truth is that we are not yet free.
We have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed.
We have not yet taken that final step of our journey.
But the first step on a longer, more difficult road.
But to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.
- [indistinct shouting.]
- I propose a campaign of sabotage.
[bomb exploding.]
MALE OFFICER: Nelson Mandela, you are under arrest! This, the first day of the committee's discussion on the policy of apartheid happens also to be the very last day of a trial in South Africa.
JUDGE: The crime that the accused have been convicted of is high treason.
PRISON GUARD: You've come to this island to be forgotten and then to die.
Debbie just had a baby daughter.
My children have grown up and I have not been there.
[screaming.]
No, no, no, no! They've made me struggle.
They can never hurt me again.
- Hey, Ta! - PROTESTERS: Ta! - Ta! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - Hey, Ta.
- PROTESTERS: Ta! Ta, ta! - Winnie! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - Come join us! - PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! - I'm off to work.
- PROTESTERS: Ta! But I'm with you in spirit.
PROTESTERS: Ta, ta! [indistinct shouting.]
MAN: Prime Minister, the central thrust of the act is simple, in township schools all lessons and key subjects must be taught in Afrikaans.
More and more blacks are adopting English at an alarming rate.
If the native wishes to play a useful role in our culture he must be able to speak our language.
Indeed.
But there is resistance.
PRIME MINISTER: Really? In what way? Teachers threatening to strike, pupils refusing to attend classes.
Arrest those kids playing truant.
That shouldn't strike fear into our hearts.
[Chuckles.]
If you think about it in this way, children learning to speak Afrikaans, is not a bad idea.
You think knowledge is the answer to everything.
Not knowledge understanding.
To understand one's opponent is a good thing.
Nothing is a good thing when it is forced upon you against your will.
Yes.
Yes.
This is also true.
Nelson, Winnie will be okay.
She's home now and she is a very strong woman.
But has been arrested, interrogated, tortured because I love her because I married her and chose the path that led here, leaving her alone in the world with two young children.
I abandoned her, Walter.
PROTESTERS: [chanting.]
COMMANDER: Aim.
Fire! - [shots firing.]
- [screaming.]
[phone ringing.]
Social work department.
MAN ON PHONE: This is Mandela? Yes.
This is Winnie Mandela.
MAN ON PHONE: The protest in Soweto, it's out of control.
It's horrible.
The police, they gave no warning.
They started firing, shooting at the kids.
Please, you must come.
RADIO HOST: Widespread rioting in Soweto following student protests this morning.
- [screaming.]
- [shots firing.]
MALE: [on radio.]
Police are advising civilians to stay indoors or risk arrest.
There are unconfirmed reports [shots firing.]
[screaming.]
[shots firing.]
[screaming.]
[glass smashing.]
[helicopter rotors whirring.]
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
The death of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson has sparked days of increasing violence.
Many of the dead are schoolchildren whose protests at the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of their classroom began what is now being called the Soweto uprising.
Over 120 rioters have been killed so far.
What started as peaceful protest descended into chaos at running street battles between They're kids, Oliver.
Kids! And they're leading the charge.
I miss home.
But things are even worse now.
Schoolkids.
Teachers too.
All across Soweto.
They have arrested hundreds.
The anger and defiance of this whole generation, it's like a volcano ready to erupt.
And if it does hmm.
Struggle is entering a new phase.
And the ANC must be prepared to embrace it.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: [on TV.]
ground today and authorities warn that the official - PRIME MINISTER: Switch it off.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
death toll is likely This is deeply disturbing.
We control entire countries.
We protect our borders from terrorists and revolutionaries.
Yet we can't stop a bunch of kids from causing absolute chaos.
They're complaining about the education, yet they burn the schools that we build for them.
You can't apply logic to the blacks.
They don't see the buildings as their own.
They see them as instruments of apartheid.
We will look like idiots if we can't control a bunch of schoolchildren.
Not only in Soweto, right across South Africa.
Our country is on fire, how do we stop this? Let them feel they've won.
Tell them they don't have to learn Afrikaans.
We've got bigger problems than their hatred of our language.
We've become complacent.
We put away their leaders on an island and we thought that would be the end of it.
But they grew new leaders.
That Steve Biko and his black consciousness ideology stirring up the youth.
We must be vigilant.
We must cut off those ringleaders.
I want them destroyed starting with Steve Biko.
[door opening.]
[door shutting.]
Thank you for coming today.
You're a loyal supporter for our cause.
See you inside.
Hello [unintelligible.]
.
I want to introduce you to Steve Biko.
A man of the future.
Mr.
Biko, I have heard of you.
So tell me, what are your plans for the future? Stay and see for yourself.
[applause.]
Black consciousness means pride in black culture, in being a black person.
Black consciousness does not need the approval, the cooperation, the support of white liberals.
- ALL: Yes! - Black consciousness needs only the belief in itself and in its absolute right to stand up and fight the oppression.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
Black consciousness leads to black power.
- [applause.]
- [cheering.]
At the back we have Winnie Mandela.
Winnie, please come.
Speak to us.
- [applause.]
- [cheering.]
CROWD: [chanting.]
Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! Winnie! - [applauding.]
- [chanting.]
Winnie! Winnie! [chanting continues.]
- [applause.]
- Winnie! Winnie! Steve Biko is right.
Black consciousness is the route to freedom.
- Yes.
- [applause.]
- [whistling.]
- CROWD: [cheering.]
And our freedom is something we must claim ourselves.
Yes.
We must break the chains of oppression ourselves.
- Yes.
- Move over Foster! - CROWD: Yeah! - [applause.]
Exactly.
It is not you who will break us.
It is ourselves alone who will break you.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
[chanting.]
- [commotion.]
- [shouting.]
Winnie! Winnie! - Biko.
- [shouting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! Where is Biko? [shouting.]
The police! [jail door opening.]
- GUARD: Come on.
- BIKO: Argh! [gasping.]
GUARD: We've been waiting for you, Mr.
Biko, you are gonna wish so much that you're with your friends on Robin Island.
Turn your face back to me? - [punching.]
- Cheeky bastard.
- [punching.]
- [groaning.]
[gasping.]
[sirens.]
[door breaking.]
What do you want? Pack your things.
You're being banished to Brandfort.
Brandfort? That is the middle of nowhere! Don't touch my stuff! Always going on about having your freedom.
Now you've got it.
[locks clanking.]
Hey, hey look at me.
[groans.]
Look at me.
They told us to keep you alive.
[water splashing.]
[gate shutting.]
[locks clanking.]
[shouting.]
What's going on? I don't know.
PRISONERS: [chanting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! Biko! [chanting continues.]
Quiet! [chanting.]
Biko! Biko! Biko! [singing.]
Thirteen Western nations attended Biko's funeral.
Over 15,000 people were there.
This international interference with the affairs of our state is dangerous.
The President of the United States has publicly stated that America is going to re-examine its relationship with us.
What the hell does that even mean? As if I haven't got enough on my plate already with this trumped up investigation of my personal finances.
And now there's Biko.
He fell and struck his head is that the best we could come up with? He fell and struck his head.
I couldn't care if he's dead but who the hell was stupid enough to smash him up like that.
What we have to do now is contain these agitators.
Unless we control this madness we will end up being an oppressed minority in our own country again.
We need to show the rest of the world we have things under control and we are going in the right direction.
MALE REPORTER: [on TV.]
Police have denied any role in Biko's death.
But published photographs of his badly beaten body - suggest he - I can't shake it.
What? This feeling.
Here I am in Mozambique, hundreds of miles away, yet I never feel safe.
Never feel they won't hunt me down or you, for that matter.
Shh, shh, shh.
You mustn't.
It is not enough to stop me writing or teaching or speaking out.
It's an awful choice.
It's a God awful price.
But you can't dwell on it.
You couldn't get through the day.
I don't dwell about me.
But, you I never know where you are from day to day.
Today you're here, yesterday you were in London, tomorrow [unintelligible.]
.
Not so fast.
Why couldn't we just be born content with - [door knocking.]
- Are you expecting anyone? It's just Chris.
I'd told him you'd arrived.
[sighs.]
RUTH: Chris, you look striking.
Ruth.
[laughs.]
How are you? I rushed right over.
Comrade, you arrived safely.
[laughing.]
Yeah.
Oh, sorry.
I forgot to salute you, Commander Chris Hani.
Thanks.
Thanks.
But, homage must be paid to the leader we've just lost.
An inquest has been set up to investigate his murder.
Which they'll absolutely clear the police of any wrongdoing.
Before he was killed, Biko reached out to Oliver to set up a meeting in Botswana.
Ah.
He's finally come to understand that our guerilla fighters make the ANC a force to be reckoned with.
Such a loss.
No one's held such sway since Nelson.
Has there been any word from him? Not recently.
But Oliver's called a meeting for the leadership in Ghana.
We must travel together.
MALE REPORTER: [on TV.]
The apartheid government Is under pressure to answer the activist's mysterious demise.
[church bells ringing.]
You know, Ruth, your mailbox is so full, people are going to start thinking you're the secretary of the ANC and the Director of the University.
Well if you want mail from people, Aquino, you have to be a better correspondent.
AQUINO: [laughing.]
[explosion.]
These letter bombs they are cowards.
So many.
How many more lives, Madiba, before our liberation? Hmm? Sometimes it is, uh hard to be, as you say optimistic.
No matter how wrong our calculations have been in the past, no matter what difficulties we face in the future, our freedom will be brought about by the strength of our organization and by the sheer determination of our people.
MALE REPORTER: Mrs.
Mandela, you were forced from your home in Soweto, and now this interim place where you were held in isolation has been burnt.
Who do you think did this? It is the South African government, through their security branch.
Do you think it's possible they're responsible for the death of Ruth First? Anything is possible with a morally corrupt government that does not value a human life.
MALE REPORTER: And are you going to keep on struggling? The struggle goes on.
There's never been a doubt about that.
And when the struggle is over, who's going to lead the people? Mandela.
Mandela.
I wonder which Mandela she means? Well, she doesn't say Nelson Mandela.
Just Mandela.
Something has got to be done to stop her.
The people love her, Joe.
She has been dear friends with my wife since they were young girls.
She says and does whatever she wants, Oliver.
She's uncontrollable.
Ruth would have kicked you for talking about a woman like that.
What I wouldn't give to have a good old argument with Ruth about that.
I'm sorry, Joe.
I'd just been with her.
If only I'd I'd told her so much.
How were you supposed to know? None of us could have known.
Well at least it was quick.
At the very least, we need to set up a crisis committee to deal with Winnie.
How to handle her without burning Nelson.
Yes.
Of course.
[seagulls crooning.]
I've been told that upon my release, for six months I'll be living under house arrest in Durban.
Durban? That's close to where Winnie is.
Any message to her? Oh, she knows it.
But tell her anyway that I think of her constantly.
And eat some good food for me, yeah? - [laughs.]
- After 12 years of being here with your chaps, even a cup of cold tea and a stale biscuit - will taste like food for a king.
- [laughs.]
You'll be drinking English tea with Oliver in London as soon as the ANC can arrange it.
I'll slip out of the country as soon as possible.
Take all of your messages with me.
Yes.
The priority now is international pressure.
Economic sanctions.
Make sure that Oliver knows that we are in total accord.
Last week a gala raises funds for arms.
Now a royal summit.
You know, Oliver, I think you look better in army fatigues.
All in a day's work.
- Chef Buthelezi.
- Oliver.
Joe.
You look well.
You too.
Your contingent is as big as an army.
But only the ANC can afford a military wing.
We sleep on mats in the rain.
Nothing quite as princely as this.
Please sit.
My agreement with the South African government has no underlying economic advantage.
Leading a self-governing Zulu state is in the best interest of my people.
And to some self-serving.
Establishing separate nations inside of a bigger nation has never been a goal of the ANC.
But our mutual goal, abolishing apartheid.
Now, that has always been the same.
At home, Inkatha is strong.
Now we can continue to lead the movement internally and the ANC can fight the movement externally internationally.
We will fight from wherever we are with whatever we've got.
Now you have asked for our blessing for greater recognition in the international community, that is impossible if we are at odds.
Henceforth, the unity of the ANC and Inkatha shall never be questioned.
I will continue to call for the release of all political prisoners and the unbanning of political organizations in exile.
To the world our allegiance and priorities must remain unambiguously aligned.
The ANC and Inkatha will move forward and oppose apartheid as a unified front.
I give you my word.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Photos please.
Yeah, that's nice.
Shake hands.
Thank you.
Good move.
Unifying with us will ensure the prosperity of the Zulu nation.
And self-rule, more importantly.
For the greater good of all of South Africa.
- PHOTOGRAPHER: Mr.
Vorster.
Mr.
Buthelezi.
- Camera please.
PHOTOGRAPHER #2: That's nice.
Thank you.
- Unbelievable.
- OLIVER: Hmm.
He agreed to align himself with the ANC and now he's opposing international sanctions.
The government is aware that Buthelezi gives them credibility.
They're using him.
Reinforcing a perception that Inkatha is the only dominant black party of South Africa.
In the interest of both sides, Inkatha and the Homeland survive on government subsidies.
The powerful Zulu chieftain and the leader of the influential Inkatha Freedom Party said, "I urge my friends in South Africa to renounce violence.
I urge my friends in the rest of the world not to impose economic sanctions on South Africa.
" The message sent on Robin Island is that international pressure is more important than the armed struggle.
Only pressure from the outside can bring this to a head.
We need to shift the world's perception that the ANC leads black South Africa.
ANC must be the voice the world listens to.
The government offered Nelson his freedom if he agreed to live in one of the homelands, like Buthelezi, and stay out of politics.
Nelson refused.
It's a great story if you think about it.
Only a true leader would sacrifice his own freedom for his people.
I've been thinking about this for quite some time.
Now, more than ever, the world needs a symbol to rally around for our cause.
Freeing Nelson Mandela could be that symbol for the freedom of all South Africa.
It's brilliant.
We could do something like: "Release Nelson Mandela now".
Free Nelson Mandela.
[The Specials singing "Nelson Mandela".]
Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela Free Nelson Mandela Oh, I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela Prime Minister John Vorster has resigned.
Thank you, Warden Brand.
"The PM resigns after 12 years in the top job, alleged misuse of public funds.
Security Minister, Van Den Burgh, also implicated.
" Who is next in line? The Minister of Defense, Pieter Willem Botha.
The economic situation is not improving, Kobie.
I've just been told that a major international bank is threatening to withdraw support unless we engage with black leadership.
They want us to negotiate with them.
Pray to God it doesn't come to that.
Prime Minister, to that end I've given this serious thought.
We've played our hand with Buthelezi long enough.
We have no other choice but to be pragmatic.
BOTHA: Nelson Mandela? Yes, this from a top psychologist.
"Mandela is exceptionally motivated.
He has an extraordinarily powerful memory and maintains outstanding personal relations.
He's always friendly and respectful towards authority figures.
" This is a leader of a banned organization that has committed acts of violence against us, waged an armed struggle.
Eighteen years in prison can change a man and perhaps now the idea of power sharing might appeal to him.
He is the symbol of a movement that none of us could have foreseen.
Every day we delay dealing with him, the pressure against our system mounts.
Perhaps we could transfer him off Robin Island to say, Pollsmoor prison? Conduct meetings with him in utmost secrecy.
MALE GUARD: Come.
Come.
Best of all, you get your own toilet.
Good morning, Nelson.
How are you today? I am fine, Warden Brandt.
I didn't realize having extra space would, uh, take so much getting used to.
Well, don't get too comfortable.
Orders have just come in to transport you to an important meeting today.
Mr.
Mandela.
Welcome Mr.
Mandela.
- Welcome to my home.
- Thank you.
And forgive me while I catch my breath.
Ah.
This is the first vista I have seen without a hint of steel or barbed wire in quite some time.
Take as long as you want.
I I want you to be comfortable here.
I trust your conditions at Pollsmoor are more acceptable.
I would scarcely call any conditions short of freedom acceptable, Mr.
Banner.
Well, that's what we're here to talk about and please call me Kobie.
I've studied your name Nelson Rolichlala Rolihlahla Dalibhunga.
Dalibhunga.
The convener of dialogue.
Yes.
It is the name that was given to me at my initiation into manhood.
Although it is you who started this conversation.
Well, for starters, may I please call you Nelson? Yes, if it makes you comfortable.
Dankie.
I felt it necessary for us to sit down together and start negotiating about the path forward.
Well, it is very difficult for us to begin negotiating if our organization is still behind bars.
What shall we call what we are doing right now? We are merely talking.
And it is my own personal view that we begin a discussion.
But you must understand that I am not the President of the ANC.
Our leader is Oliver Tambo.
GENERAL: If the blacks kill each other, they will forget all about fighting us.
General, are you suggesting we provide military training for Inkatha? Merely to defend themselves.
Let Inkatha Zulus return to their warring nature.
If the blacks turn on each other, moving forward towards a unified democracy would be a moot point.
I will make sure there is no connection back to our military.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
[car approaching.]
Take that thing off.
[shouting.]
[gunshots firing.]
[cheering.]
- [gunshots firing.]
- [glass breaking.]
[shouting continues.]
[cheering.]
We are not going to fight this Government with AKA 47s.
CROWD: No! - Because we haven't got any.
- CROWD: Yes.
- We have stones.
- CROWD: Yes! - We have boxes of matches.
- CROWD: Yes! - We have got these hands.
- CROWD: Yes! - Our power.
- CROWD: Yes! - WINNIE: The people's power! - CROWD: Yes! - We shall dismantle apartheid.
- CROWD: Yes! - To hell with Botha regime! - CROWD: Yes! - WINNIE: Power to the people! - CROWD: Power.
- Power to the people! - CROWD: Power! [chanting in Xhosa.]
[applause.]
[singing.]
Yes, collaborator.
Police.
- Traitor! - No, no, no, no.
Please! [shouting.]
[inaudible.]
Committee cannot control her.
She will not listen to anyone.
And now they say she's holding hostages in her home.
She continues to speak out about whatever she likes, in public.
We have tried to protect Nelson from this so that he can concentrate on other matters.
But we have no choice.
He must be the one to deal with this crisis.
We must tell him everything we know.
We received word.
Nelson already knows.
The extent of the accusations? We're hearing rumors that Nelson's negotiating with the government, which is, on one hand, a good thing.
On the other hand, it's going to raise questions, with some people, about bargains he may be making.
Stop.
No more.
I will not listen to any more talk about Nelson selling out.
There's no talk of that coming from me.
I'm certain that Nelson is unwavering.
He will always uphold the ANC's mandate.
We have to maintain the higher moral ground.
Calm down, Oliver.
Sit down.
You're working yourself to death.
Every day it is something else.
My mind is pulled and it goes in different directions.
Do you think that leadership in exile is concerned about these private talks? That I am selling out? Oliver could never think that you would sell out.
Hmm.
We have not seen Oliver in nearly a quarter century.
I don't trust the Government with this prison move.
They're trying to divide and weaken us.
Yes.
Of course, you are right.
But I do believe that the time has finally come.
They have finally accepted that they have to talk to us.
It's not the perfect situation, but how can I walk away from such an opportunity? I won't stand in your way.
I trust that you know what you are doing.
Actually, I am more concerned about how to handle the delicacy of my domestic situation.
I have heard too many things.
Second hand, of course, from [unintelligible.]
.
So have I.
Word is travelling.
There's rumors about her.
The necklacing, kidnappings of so-called traitors, the gangs of thugs that she commands.
What else have you heard? Nothing for sure.
And I pray that they are only rumors.
She is my wife, Walter.
My wife.
A political person.
A good person.
There will always be those forces that want to tarnish her.
Already they have done so much to try and destroy her.
Nelson.
For your own peace of mind, we must get word to the ANC to find out the truth about this.
I have had a certain amount of peace and protection here.
She has had none of that.
No further military action.
I am not prepared to lead white South Africans on the road to abdication and suicide.
I agree.
There's no answer in trying to fight it out.
I am committed to peaceful negotiation.
Sir, we will press ahead with more apartheid reforms, then.
In their direction.
We have crossed the Rubicon, there can be no turning back.
And what about Mandela? If he gives a commitment to non-violence, I will release him.
He has already rejected that offer, Sir.
Then he must reconsider.
We will wear him down.
Move him to even more comfortable surroundings.
Give him more and more of a taste of freedom.
Get him to understand there is no way I will unban the ANC.
Ball is in his court.
[gate creaking.]
Well, I'm glad they let me take you today.
Tomorrow is the public holiday.
Oh, yes.
The Day of the Covenant, your day of thanksgiving to God.
Twenty-seven years ago we began the armed struggle.
Twenty-seven years.
Well, Nelson, let me take your boxes out the back and then it's it's goodbye from me.
I've got to get back to Pollsmoor.
You know Warden Brand, you always behaved correctly toward me.
It is wardens like you, men like you, that have validated my belief in humanity all these years behind bars.
Thank you.
Let me get those boxes.
RONALD REAGAN: I want to work with the congress to advance America's policy towards South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER: Leading democrats who introduced amendments calling for total disinvestment in South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: Exxon joins Coca-Cola, Kodak, Revlon, and others to become the 87th company to leave in two years.
And as we decided we could not do business with Hitler, we must now decide that we cannot do business with South Africa.
We can't afford to keep our economy afloat.
We are near bankrupt.
Mr.
de Klerk, our air strikes against the neighboring states have further increased our debt.
In the interest of eliminating unsolicited interference in South African affairs yeah, yeah.
Now Chase Manhattan is refusing to rollover our debt.
This morning I tried reaching out to the President of the Federal Reserve but the rand is falling.
Our inputs are being curbed.
Even the committee appointed by Botha has no viable solutions to offer.
I will assemble as many of the ministers as possible for an emergency session at my house in Pretoria.
We have to present a united front when we approach him.
If we do not compromise now, Buck, disaster is inevitable.
Are you now beginning to quote the words of Nelson Mandela? Thank you.
It pains me to ask you this, but are any of the things that you are accused of true? [sighs.]
It is propaganda.
You should know better than anyone not to believe everything you read in the paper.
NELSON: That is not what I asked you.
You must disband the football club.
The football club looks after me.
- They keep me safe.
- They must go.
But, darling, there is a Walter Sisulu football club.
Why can't we have a Mandela United football club? The Walter Sisulu football club does not have members who are terrorizing the community, who are behaving like thugs.
The Mandela United football club has members who are accused of murder.
That is nonsense.
I will let the boys go if they want to.
Get rid of them.
I have spoken on it now.
I do not want to hear any more about any of these things.
It is quiet in this garden of yours.
But out there, there is war.
Then behave like a soldier.
You must be disciplined and learn to follow your leaders.
You forget, I'm a leader too now.
You have the arrogance to come and tell me, after 53 years of service to the National Party, pack your bags and go and sit in the wilderness? What you fail to grasp is that economics and politics cannot be separated.
How long do you expect this to carry on? Two, three years? We are being strangled by these sanctions and if the strikes on the violence continues, there will be a full scale bloody revolution.
The cabinet is unanimous on this.
We want you to retire willingly.
Don't be mistaken.
It is only our might that keeps the lid on this pressure cooker that is South Africa.
Take off the lid and you will have Armageddon.
The problem is most of the party believes we're dealing with Armageddon now.
If we do change course, the blood will flow ankle deep in our streets.
Four, five million people will lie dead and the situation will remain exactly the same as it always was.
We need to address the problem now before we have an all-out race war.
I feel sorry for all of you.
You will not be able to control the forces you unleash.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Breaking news, P.
W.
Botha has stepped down from office.
The National Party [unintelligible.]
has chosen Education Minister Can you believe it? Botha is gone.
What is it? Oliver has had a stroke.
They have rushed him to Europe for treatment but it's bad.
It seems he is paralyzed down the whole right hand side of his body.
And it seems he cannot speak.
[sighs.]
Oliver.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
The wall was crumbling.
The sledgehammers in the hands of men not born when it went up.
Then, just before 10 o'clock, the moment Berliners had waited 28 years for.
CROWD: [cheering.]
MALE NEWSREADER: [on TV.]
The symbol of the communist iron curtain has fallen.
We are witnessing a lifetime moment in history.
The cold war is over.
This symbolic breach in the structure that separated millions and claimed hundreds of lives.
West German riot police stop the crowds surging into communist soil.
But, by then, they'd made their point.
NELSON: Dear President de Klerk, in this time of great change around the world, it is my sincere wish that you and I may open a new dialogue concerning the future of South Africa.
You must give up this idea of group's rights and separate homelands.
It makes it look like you are trying to reform apartheid, to make it acceptable instead of abandoning it all together.
But we have to deal with white fears of black domination.
Then we have to change their thinking.
The idea of different groups of people that is the cornerstone of apartheid.
We want everyone in this country to think of themselves and everyone around them as South Africans.
Not as part of such and such a group.
I'm a pragmatist, Mr.
Mandela.
We have to move towards a workable solution.
For too long, you and the ANC have been seen as the problem, instead of part of the solution to the problem.
President de Klerk, I believe that you are a man we can do business with.
But it is pointless to continue to talk about releasing me.
If the ANC's conditions are not met, they have not changed.
Release political prisoners, unban our organizations, allow the exiles to return home and lift this state of emergency.
- [cheering.]
- [car horns honking.]
[Hugh Masekela singing "Bring Back Nelson Mandela".]
Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto I want to see him walking down the streets Of South Africa Hey! Bring back home Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Today, after nearly three decades in prison, Nelson Mandela is a free man.
Winnie Mandela at his side, they walk together into a new future for South Africa.
- [cheering.]
- - [cheering continues.]
- MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Sent to Robin Island at the age of 46, now leaving Victor Verster Prison at 72.
He has never wavered in his commitment to his people, to justice.
No matter the cost.
- [cheering.]
- Bring back Nelson Mandela MALE NEWSCASTER: After so many years in Soweto, the ANC and its supporters around the world must be savoring this day of victory.
Vindication for their efforts and a new era for their country.
Bring back Nelson Mandela Bring him back home to Soweto I want to see him walking down the streets CROWD: [cheering.]
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
And the [unintelligible.]
starts moving past the jubilant crowds and the many members Who would ever have believed it? One day Nelson Mandela would be a free man, that we were the ones who freed him.
Just because Mandela is free, doesn't mean he or the ANC is going to lead the country.
[door knocking.]
Mr.
President, Chief Buthelezi.
Ah, come in.
Chief Buthelezi, my good friend.
Good to see you.
We have a lot to talk about.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
After his release, Mandela was driven to a massive rally at Cape Town city hall, where more than 100,000 supporters gathered to hear him speak.
He delivered an impassioned speech declaring a commitment to seek peace and reconciliation and the birth of a democratic and free South Africa.
[applause.]
Desmond.
[laughs.]
[laughing.]
Magnificent speech.
Oh, thank you.
I had to borrow my wife's glasses just to read it.
- One would never know.
- BOTH: [laughing.]
The whole world is stunned at how good you look.
- And so am I.
- BOTH: [laughing.]
I have to stop pinching myself.
- Are we dreaming? - No, no.
This is real.
Heh.
You are most welcome to stay at my residence tonight, - my dear friend.
- Thank you.
But I would like to sleep in my own bed tonight in Soweto.
But give me the honor of hosting, eh? It is late in the day and we must think about security.
A phone call for Madiba.
Oh, phone call for you.
It's Oliver.
- Yes.
I will be back.
- DESMOND: [laughing.]
Hello, Oliver, are you there? Madiba.
Don't try to speak.
I can hear you breathing.
I know you are there.
I heard your salute to me in your speech.
NELSON: Yes.
Thank you for leading the ANC during the most difficult circumstances.
And now you have to fight for yourself, eh? For your health.
It is so good to hear you, my old friend.
[sigh.]
- How does freedom feel? - Oh, wonderful.
Wonderful.
We're proud of you, Mr.
Mandela.
- Excuse me.
Excuse me.
- Thank you.
- Good day.
Good day.
- Excuse me.
Thank you.
Where is Winnie? She is there.
Ah, I see.
Are you having a good time? Yes, Tata.
Bishop Tutu is insisting that we stay here tonight.
Why not? It is very comfortable for you here.
And I would like to have more private time for us.
There is plenty time for that.
- Excuse me, Madiba.
- Hmm? There is someone I would like you to meet.
Oh, all right.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Jubilation as Nelson Mandela returned to his home in Soweto for the first time in 27 years.
The day has passed by huge parades and dancing in the streets as thousands of Sowetans welcomed him back to the township.
The release of Nelson Mandela has been greeted with joy through most of South Africa.
MALE NEWSCASTER #2: [on TV.]
Heightened political tension surrounding Mandela's release have triggered renewed fighting in several townships in this region.
Violence has also increased between the mainly Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party and Nelson Mandela's now unbanned, African National Congress.
Efforts of reconciliation between Mr.
Mandela and Chief Buthelezi have so far failed.
These have been two of the bloodiest months in the history NELSON: Please forgive me, Mr.
President, if I begin by stating the obvious.
It seems clear to me that our first task must be to address the climate of violence and intimidation whatever the source may be, that must be a precondition for any negotiation.
Agreed.
The ANC and the National Party must both be able to state truthfully and sincerely that negotiations are being conducted in good faith.
Mr.
Mandela, what other basis can negotiations be conducted? CHILDREN: [laughing.]
I must meet face to face with Buthelezi.
It is the only solution.
I don't think that will go down well.
[door opening.]
- Hello, darling.
Walter.
- Winnie.
Darling, will you make some more tea for our guest, please? Yes, Tata.
I will not defy the ANC on this.
If I do so, I will look arrogant.
I will respect the collective leadership.
But, if I could just sit down with Buthelezi, face to face, perhaps we could resolve some of Buthelezi is a political prostitute.
The government knows that if they keep stoking this war between Inkatha and the ANC, they'll be able to prolong their stay in power.
I have no reason to believe that de Klerk is anything but a man of integrity.
I do not believe he wants to see this country burnt to the ground.
Our people need power.
They need arms.
This repression and the violence it creates cannot be ended if we attack each other.
It is very well to think intellectually.
But if you've seen young children die in front of you and you've been tortured and abused, then you will know that if you wake up in the middle of the night because of the screaming, you have a gun to reach for.
So you meet brutality with brutality? There is only brutality out there.
Don't worry about the tea, Winnie.
I must be getting back.
Don't get up.
I will let myself out.
WINNIE: Bye, Walter.
When you finally go out there and you meet with the people, you will feel their anger.
I know what my own anger feels like, and I refuse to accept that our long sacrifice has turned our hearts to stone.
I have learned to remove anger and bitterness from my heart because I know that great anger and violence never built anything.
Least of all a nation.
If you and Joe, with your credentials as leaders of the armed struggle, tried to sell this idea to the people, they will listen.
But abandon the armed struggle now? Suspend it.
We do not give up our arms.
It will put the onus back on them and it will be what they least expect from us.
I hear this, Nelson.
But the Government is behind the Third Force that's creating violence in our township.
I'm sure of it.
Yes.
But we don't know for sure.
Call their bluff.
We suspend the armed struggle.
We show them our peaceful intentions.
It will be a bold and decisive move.
But we must have the courage to take it.
MALE REPORTER: Once again, a political march through a South African city has turned to violence as tension builds in this country by the day.
MALE NEWSCASTER: [on TV.]
Smoke cleared to reveal the casualties of the city center battle.
The bloody streets of a country whose transition to democracy is becoming increasingly murderous.
DE KLERK: I had nothing to do with the training of Inkatha or the money that went to them.
I've got no idea where this is coming from.
Are you telling me that you know nothing of a Third Force? This is just as much a mystery to me as it is to you.
I've been told this is a tribal thing.
That is nonsense and you know it.
I am beginning to doubt your peaceful intentions, President de Klerk.
Mr.
Mandela, I only want a peaceful solution for South Africa.
There is no Third Force operating under my orders.
I cannot control this violence.
If the people who are dying out there were white, would you still tell me that? Black lives are cheap.
I do not think that.
President de Klerk, I have called you a man of integrity as we try to move forward.
I so want to believe that you are.
[door closing.]
Are you taking another trip? How long are you going for, this time? You are leaving me? I can no longer reconcile myself with your behavior.
So you talk to all those Afrikaners who tortured me, who destroyed our family life and butchered our people.
But me Am I not good enough to talk to? Am I not worth your forgiveness? - It's not the same thing.
- How is it not the same thing? I have been home for weeks.
Weeks.
Not once have you come to our bed unless you thought that I was asleep.
You've been home [unintelligible.]
.
You don't know me anymore.
I will never regret building a life with you or all the love and affection I have felt for you.
All of these years, from the moment I first met you, Nomzamo.
Then stay with me.
It will be like it was before.
That way that it was before that way is no more.
[door slamming.]
[gasps.]
[applause.]
Is it true that you are Comrade Oliver Tambo? Is it true that you are Nelson Mandela? OLIVER: [sobbing.]
Chris has just come from a tour of our military camps.
He says that there is a serious lack of health facilities in Tanzania.
He is a good commander, but I know that he will resist this idea for us to pull back our military offensive.
These are the qualities of a General.
Our new generation is in good hands.
Yes, but you must help him to understand, Oliver, that to suspend the violence now will help with our negotiations.
Yes, this de Klerk, what do you make of him? He says he is committed to bringing forth a true democracy and an election.
But, I am not sure that his intentions are clear.
During my travels this month, it has become apparent that he is not happy with the international community wanting to support the ANC.
So I will continue to work with him in the hope that he will keep his promise.
- Mmm.
- Look here.
What do you think? Shall we have a snort? Or is it against doctor's orders? We will account this as one of our top secrets.
- Yes, yes.
- Do not Adelaide.
Did someone say Adelaide? [laughing.]
It's almost four o'clock, Oliver.
We just sat down.
You see? She is a dictator.
And not the benevolent kind, either.
[laughing.]
You are lucky to have such a loving wife.
I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
Madiba.
[laughing.]
- CROWDS: Now is the time.
- Now is the time.
- CROWDS: Now is the time.
- [unintelligible.]
- CROWDS: [unintelligible.]
- Nelson Mandela! CROWDS: Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela! [cheering.]
We want to unite our people.
Not just Indians, coloreds, Afrikaans.
We want to unite Afrikaans, coloreds, Indians and whites.
This is why we have been talking with the National Party.
We want this peace.
This spirit of reconciliation, this spirit must not only unite the government and ourselves, it must build and bring our people.
Those who have been working with the enemy, they must now work with us to build this new South Africa.
[cheering.]
- [unintelligible.]
- CROWDS: [unintelligible.]
I give you now our soldier for peace, Chris Hani.
[cheering.]
Mandela for President! CROWDS: Our President! Mandela for President! CROWDS: Our President! [cheering.]
[singing.]
- Here's to Nelson.
- Nelson.
- Nelson.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- [glasses clinking.]
So, well.
What is to be done with Buthelezi and his right-wingers? It's clear they don't want these negotiations to work.
They don't want an election.
Well, we've suspended our military might in good faith.
I now believe that our only offense is our message.
Their strategy is to divide.
- Ours must be to unite.
- Mmhm.
And that's the message you must take to the people.
It was indeed Samora who said: "For the nation to leave, the tribe must die.
" So I have your support? Yes, yes, of course.
We still have our might, Chris.
Hmm? - [cars honking.]
- [wind gusting.]
[car door shutting.]
[gunshots firing.]
The assassination of Chris Hani has unleashed a profound sense of frustration and anger amongst South African youth sparking widespread protests and rioting.
The country now stands on the brink of civil war.
Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white.
A white man full of prejudice and hate committed a deed so foul that now our whole country teeters on the brink of disaster.
The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shockwaves throughout our country and the world.
Our grief and our anger is tearing us apart.
Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for, the freedom of all of us.
Now is the time for our white compatriots to reach out with an understanding of the grievous loss to our nation.
Now is the time for the police to act with sensitivity and restraint.
This is a watershed moment for all of us.
He was the young leader that we all prayed for.
He was like a son to me.
Me too.
And our future.
You did well, Madiba.
The entire nation was calmed by your words.
We need a date for the election.
A real date set in stone.
There is still a chance.
We have to divert a crisis.
It could cripple our country for years to come.
We still have a chance.
We will have an election with or without those who are against it.
We will frustrate the objective of the people who killed Chris.
We will have an election.
[phone ringing.]
Yes? Hello? Where is he? All those years ago in prison I had a conversation with you in my head.
Then, I was lucky enough to talk to you again in person.
I suppose now I shall have to wait to see you again, to talk to you on the other side.
You bought us our first decent suits, Walter.
You encouraged us to practice law together.
You groomed us to be leaders, Walter.
You were being groomed by the cause long before I met you.
I just recognized qualities in both of you.
I still see things in you that you don't see in yourself.
You have experienced great loss in your life, Nelson.
But you have a limitless capacity to love.
You must not think this is the end of happiness for you.
[phone ringing.]
Hello? Yes? Yes.
Set in stone.
Ha.
That is good.
We have an interim constitution and an election date.
27th April, 1994.
[scoffs.]
It's what the three of us always wanted.
[African music.]
Even my parents, who have passed away, have been wishing to see this one day.
They couldn't.
But today I have voted for them.
There are people who died for this.
Most people who fought for this, they are not here.
They couldn't take us to the promised land, but now here we are.
- [cheering.]
- [applause.]
[applause.]
[cameras clicking.]
WOMAN: Mr.
Mandela? Mr.
Mandela? Are you ready to take the oath of office, Sir? MANDELA: The truth is that we are not yet free.
We have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed.
We have not yet taken that final step of our journey.
But the first step on a longer, more difficult road.
But to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.