We must strive for reconciliation daily

The Editor,
I am writing this as an interested individual and also as one who happened to have been
among the beneficiaries of former President de Klerks decisions. I do not hold a position in
any public organisation and remain a rank-and-file member of my ANC branch.
Much has been said and written about Mr FW de Klerk in recent weeks. What evoked
considerable reaction was the decision of the Cape Town Council to rename a major road in
the city in honour of former President de Klerk. The views expressed publicly varied between
enthusiastic support for the idea and explicit and vocal objections to it.
I, however, thought it appropriate for me to revert to the past, and in doing so, recall my
personal experiences. I am fully aware of the public criticism expressed, among others, by
some of my friends, especially comrades who are holding prominent positions in public life. I
have no hesitation in assuming that in keeping with the mores of the ANC, and with respect
to their views, they will accept my right to express my views - albeit somewhat different.
Had my view been solicited on this matter, I would have indicated that I have no objections
to a road being named after the former State President. While I disagreed with the policies of
his political party, I am of the view that the release of political prisoners in October 1989 and
the unbanning of political organisations placed the country firmly onto a road of a negotiated
settlement, which was to culminate in the historic 1994 elections and ultimately a new
Constitution for South Africa. The effects of global pressure against apartheid and the internal
mass struggles would have ultimately led to the collapse of apartheid, but had it not been for
Mr De Klerks bold steps, we would perhaps have spent another decade or more in struggle,
which could have left South Africa a wasteland.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process and will sometimes move at great speed and at other
times, will appear to be a lost cause. It nevertheless is something that we must strive for daily.
If a street renaming makes a contribution in that regard, than it should be supported. In the
same vein, when a street or town needs to have a name change and serves to make us a more
cohesive society, we should support it.
Let me for a moment go back to the past. On Tuesday, 10 October 1989, Walter Sisulu,
Govan Mbeki, Elias Motsoaledi, Wilton Mkwayi and Andrew Mlangeni and I paid a visit to
Mandela at Groot Drakenstein Prison. When our visit ended, Madiba said, Chaps, this is
farewell, because you are going to be released. Without any excitement we responded,
Well believe it when it happens.
Before returning us to Pollsmoor Prison, we were informed by the prison authorities that we
would first be having dinner at Groot Drakenstein. At 8pm while at dinner, we were
dumbfounded when we saw the TV news report carrying President de Klerks announcement
that the eight prisoners were to be released. Naturally I looked for my name; it was number 8!
But he didnt say when.

On the following Wednesday, we were told by the then Chief Warder, Christo Brand, to pack
all our belongings because we were going to be transferred. By this time, Christo and I had
become friends, so much so that his wife Estelle used to bake a Christmas cake for me, which
he illegally smuggled to me in prison. He also told me I could also include my prison
uniform, dish, mug and spoon.
On the morning of Friday, 13 October 1989, we were flown in our civvies to Johannesburg
Prison. The next day, the head of the prison informed us that he had received a fax from
Prison Headquarters in Pretoria that we were going to be released the following morning.
Early on the morning of Sunday, 15 October 1989, we were driven to our homes. At about
5.30am, I knocked at the door of my brothers house in Lenasia. My very first visitor was
Laloo Chiba, my dear friend and comrade, who had spent 18 years with us on Robben Island.
Subsequently, I had met Mr De Klerk at several functions. By now we had developed an easy
and comfortable interaction between us. I once thanked him for his announcement about our
release, but complained that he didnt say when. His response was, Good things come a little
at a time.
After 26 years of my life in prison, it would be churlish of me not to say, Thank you,
President de Klerk, for eventually crossing the Rubicon and rising to the occasion when the
country needed you to do so.
Ahmed Kathrada