Mandela - Tambo Lecture Series 4th Lecture Mandela - Tambo: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy
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Mandela - Tambo Lecture Series
4th Lecture
City of Glasgow College
16 September 2011
Mandela - Tambo: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy
Professor Denis Goldberg
MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
Published by ACTSA Scotland Scotland (Action for Southern Africa) CONTENTS
52 St Enoch Square
Glasgow G1 4AA
First Published 2012 Background to the Mandela-Tambo Lecture Series
Brian Filling
Chair, ACTSA Scotland
Honorary Consul for South Africa in Scotland page 4
This paper was delivered as the Fourth Lecture of the Mandela-Tambo Lecture Series,
13 September 2012. The lecture was organised by the City of Glasgow College and Introduction
ACTSA Scotland in association with the South African High Commission. Paul Little
Principal, City of Glasgow College page 8
The Mandela-Tambo Lecture sereis is sponsored by ACTSA Scotland in association
with the Lord Provost and Glasgow City Council, City of Glasgow College, Biography of Professor Denis Goldberg page 10
Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow and the
South African High Commission.
“Mandela-Tambo: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy”
Professor Denis Goldberg page 12
Liberal quoting from this document is permitted for educational purposes and the
promotion of research provided acknowledgement is made.
Vote of Thanks
Janis Carson
Vice Principal, Cityof Glasgow College page 27
ISBN 978-0-9556538-3-4
Designed by City of Glasgow College
2 3
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BACKGROUND Mandela receiving the Freedom of the The lecture was delivered as the keynote
to the GLASGOW MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES City and to celebrate OR Tambo’s 90th speech at the ACTSA Scotland conference
anniversary by initiating a lecture series. on 25 October 2008 and was hosted by
On 4 August 1981, Glasgow awarded The Glasgow Green rally in 1988, which It was to be named the Mandela-Tambo Professor Pamela Gillies, Principal and
Nelson Mandela the Freedom of the City, sent off the 25 marchers (one for each of Lecture series. It was also agreed to ask Vice Chancellor, at Glasgow Caledonian
the first City to do so. the years that Mandela had been in jail) to each of the universities in Glasgow and University.
walk to London, was addressed by Oliver Glasgow Metropolitan College to host, in
As Mandela was still in prison, the Tambo, President of the African National The 2010 lecture was delivered by Ronnie
honour was accepted on his behalf turn, an annual Freedom Lecture.
Congress. Kasrils, former Minister in the South
by the Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr The Inaugural Lecture in the Mandela- African government. The lecture was
Alex Ekwueme, a former student at On 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela Tambo series was held in the Banqueting held as the book launch of Ronnie Kasrils’
the University of Strathclyde. On the was released from prison. Hall of the City Chambers, George Square book, “The Unlikely Secret Agent”.
same day, following the ceremony, a on 26 October 2006. Glasgow University hosted the lecture
meeting hosted by the Anti-Apartheid He came to Glasgow to collect the
The platform party comprised Brian and book launch in the University Chapel
Movement and chaired by Brian Filling Freedom of 9 UK cities at a special, single
Filling, chair; Baillie Gordon Mathieson, on 1 December 2010.
was addressed by Vice-President, Dr Alex ceremony on 9 October 1993.
who welcomed guests on behalf of the
Ekwueme; Lord Provost, Michael Kelly; On 4 August 2011, a plaque was unveiled
Nelson Mandela was elected President of Lord Provost and the City Council; and
and the African National Congress Chief in Glasgow City Chambers by the Lord
the Republic of South Africa, following Her Excellency, Dr Lindiwe Mabuza,
Representative in the UK, Ruth Mompati. Provost, Councillor Bob Winter and
the first democratic elections in that South African High Commissioner.
Professor Denis Goldberg on the 30th
Following the award of Freedom of the country, in April 1994.
The Inaugural Lecture, “The International anniversary of Nelson Mandela receiving
city, Glasgow in association with the 2006 was the 25th Anniversary of Nelson Legacy of Oliver Reginald Tambo 1917- the Freedom of the City. To coincide
Anti-Apartheid Movement continued the Mandela receiving the Freedom of the 1993” was delivered by Dr Nkosazana with the 30th anniversary a booklet, “The
campaign to win Mandela’s release. city of Glasgow. Dlamini Zuma, South African Minister of Glasgow Mandela Story”, by Brian Filling,
The Lord Provost of Glasgow launched Foreign Affairs. was published by ACTSA Scotland in
a world-wide Lord Mayors petition at OR Tambo, who had led the ANC association with Glasgow City Council.
the United Nations in New York in 1981; throughout the period of Mandela’s The 2008 lecture was given by the
the street, which housed the Apartheid imprisonment, died in 1993. He was born Mozambican High Commissioner The 2011 lecture, “Mandela-Tambo:
South African Consulate, was re-named on 27 October 1917. So 2007 marked the in the UK, His Excellency, Antonio friends, comrades, leaders, legacy” was
Nelson Mandela Place in 1986; the city’s 90th anniversary of his birth. Gumende, and was entitled: “Solidarity given by Professor Denis Goldberg, fellow
Lord Provost led a deputation of UK Lord and Partnerships in the 21st century: Rivonia trialist with Nelson Mandela,
Provosts, Lord Mayors and Mayors to No In discussions between Glasgow City the challenge of achieving the MDGs and who spent 22 years in an apartheid
10 Downing St to petition Prime Minister Council, the South African High (Millennium Development Goals) in prison. The Lecture was hosted by the
Margaret Thatcher; and in 1988 a march Commission and ACTSA Scotland Mozambique. City of Glasgow College on 16 September
was launched from Glasgow to London (Action for Southern Africa), the 2011.
calling for Nelson Mandela to be released successor organisation to the Anti-
on his seventieth birthday. Apartheid Movement, it was agreed to Brian Filling
mark the 25th anniversary of Nelson Chair, ACTSA Scotland
4 5
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Nelson Mandela, Marah Louw and Brian Filling. George Square, Glasgow, 9 October 1993 (photograph: Alan Wylie)
Oliver Tambo (centre) with Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Brian Filling with Abdul Minty behind Nelson Mandela in George Square, Glasgow, 9 October 1993 (photograph: David Pratt)
Glasgow Green, 12 June 1988. (photographs: Alan Wylie)
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INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME Our legacy colleges, not least through student body of the issues faced in other
by Paul Little, Principal, City of Glasgow College Brian Filling here, have a long association communities.
with educational institutions in
Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Eastern We are honoured therefore to host
Professor Goldberg, Deputy High Professor Goldberg only recently
Cape. the Mandela-Tambo lecture at City of
Commissioner, Honorary Consul/Chair honoured the city by unveiling a plaque
Over recent years our students have been Glasgow College and privileged to have
ACTSA Scotland Brian Filling, Honoured to commemorate this 30th anniversary.
happy to support the charity Community Professor Goldberg here to deliver the
guests,
Heart and we have been very grateful to lecture.
It is a great honour and I believe very
Brian for raising awareness amongst our
I am delighted to welcome you to City important for an educational centre such
of Glasgow College, Scotland’s newest & as ours to keep alive the lessons from the
largest college. struggles of the past. Great figures from
that era like Dennis Goldberg and Nelson
I am especially delighted to welcome Mandela stood up for and have “cherished
you in this auspicious year, the 30th the ideal of a democratic and free society
anniversary of the City of Glasgow in which all persons live together in
presenting the Freedom of the City to harmony and with equal opportunities”.
Nelson Mandela back in 1981, the first These are values that this college wishes
city in the world to make him a freeman to espouse and nurture and are key to our
– this was a very controversial decision role in society.
back in 1981 when Mandela was still
a prisoner of the apartheid state. Back Scotland and Glasgow in particular has
then in 1986 the city renamed St George’s a very special relationship with South
Place, the location of the South African Africa, not only in the City’s support
consulate, as Nelson Mandela Place in his of the anti apartheid movement but in
honour. supporting educational development and
exchange between our countries and their
institutions.
Platform party (from left to right) Janis Carson, Vice Principal, City of Glasgow College, Professor Denis Goldberg,
Bongiwe Qwabe, South African Depute High Commissioner, Paul Little, Principal, City of Glasgow College,
Brian Filling, Honorary Consul for South Africa (photograph: Brian Purdie)
8 9MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
BIOGRAPHY against apartheid. He did speaking tours Goldberg first married Johannesburg
of Professor Denis Goldberg for the African National Congress in born Esme Bodenstein, a London-trained
many countries in Europe, Scandinavia, physiotherapist, who was herself briefly
and Asia as well as in North America. held in solitary confinement in 1963
Denis Theodore Goldberg was born in His exiled family had been active for before going into exile in London with
Cape Town in 1933, South Africa, the many years in the Woodcraft Folk, a their young children Hilary and David.
son of London born parents, who had British movement for children and young Only allowed to see Denis twice in twenty
emigrated to South Africa. people, committed to fostering equality years, Esme’s house in East Finchley in
He grew up in Cape Town and was and cooperation, and he became its north London provided a haven for many
awarded a degree in Civil Engineering president until the position was abolished South African political refugees and a
from the University of Cape Town. at his request. wide variety of other itinerants. When
From 1953 onwards he was active in After the first democratic, non-racial her husband was released she wished to
the Modern Youth Society, a non-racial elections in South Africa Denis remain in London and he remained with
organisation in Cape Town. He joined Goldberg founded the development her in London until her death in 2000.
other leading white activists in forming organisation Community H.E.A.R.T. Their daughter Hilary died in 2002 from
the Congress of Democrats. The Congress Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, (Health, Education and Reconstruction cancer.
of Democrats allied itself with the Andrew Mlangeni and Elias Motsoaledi. Training) in the UK in 1995 to assist with Goldberg returned to South Africa in
African National Congress and other Denis was the only white and was sent the Reconstruction and Development 2002 and was appointed Special Adviser
Congresses in the Congress Alliance. He to a white prison in Pretoria while the Programme in South Africa. Since to Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water
was a member of the illegal South African others were sent to Robben Island. Whilst that date through its Book Appeal, Affairs and Forestry until 2004. He
Communist Party, which had been in prison he took degrees in Public Community H.E.A.R.T. has sent continued as Special Adviser to Minister
banned by the apartheid regime in 1950, Administration, History and Geography, almost 3 million books to South Africa. Buyelwa Sonjica until 2006 when he
after the Nationalist Party came to power. and in Library Science. He was halfway Other projects have assisted with the retired.
He was detained in 1960, as was his through a law degree when he was overcoming of the legacy of apartheid, In 2002 Goldberg had married Edelgard
mother, and spent four months in prison released after 22 years in prison in 1985. including raising over £1 million for the Nkobi, a German journalist and widow of
without trial. On his release he went into exile in Rape Crisis Centre in Cape Town. With Zenzo Nkobi, the son of ANC Treasurer
When the underground armed wing London where he joined his family. In the support of German friends Denis also General Thomas Nkobi. Goldberg was
of the African National Congress, London he resumed his work in the established Community H.E.A.R.T. e.V. in again widowed in 2006 when Edelgard
Umkhonto we Sizwe was founded in African National Congress (ANC) in Essen in Germany in 1996. died after a long battle with cancer.
1961, Goldberg became technical officer. its London office from 1985 to 1994. In 1999 Denis Goldberg was awarded Denis lives in Hout Bay, near Cape Town,
In 1963 he was arrested at Lilliesleaf farm, He was spokesperson for the ANC and an Honorary LL.D. degree by Glasgow where he is active in the local community.
Rivonia, headquarters of the armed wing. also represented it at the Anti-Apartheid Caledonian University. He has also been He continues to travel abroad on speaking
He was sentenced in 1964 at the end of Committee of the United Nations. A large awarded an Honorary PH.D degree by tours. The Randburg ANC branch has
the famous Rivonia Trial to four terms group of US organisations presented the Medical University of South Africa renamed itself the Denis Goldberg
of life imprisonment along with Nelson Denis Goldberg with the Albert Luthuli (MEDUNSA). branch.
Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Peace Prize in recognition of his work
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The Glasgow Mandela-Tambo Lecture 2011
Address by
Professor Denis Goldberg
“MANDELA-TAMBO: friends, comrades, leaders, legacy”
In 2010 he published his autobiography, • In 2011 he was awarded the German City of Glasgow College
The Mission: A Life for Freedom in South Cross of the Order of Merit for his 13 September 2011
Africa (STE Publishers, Johannesburg) work in strengthening relations between
and a German edition, der Auftrag, Germany and South Africa.
ein leben fuer die Freiheit in Suedafrika • In 2012 he was awarded the
(Assoziation A Verlag, Berlin and South African Military Veterans Medal
Hamburg).. in Platinum for his services in the
• Denis Goldberg was awarded the Order armed struggle against apartheid.
of Luthuli in Silver by the President of • The Ghandi Development Trust has
South Africa in 2010. decided to award him its Satyagraha
• UNISON, the UK trade union has made Award for his sacrifices for human
him an honorary life member along rights.
with Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu
Kyi.
12 13MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
has been achieved is that black South Many leaders of the African people
It’s lovely to be here and one says, in case I Africans now feel they are citizens in their gained their knowledge of the modern
have left out somebody who is important own land because they have the vote. world at that institution. And in South
and feels hurt: “all protocol observed.” They can sit in parliament as she did, and Africa we have just been celebrating the
be part of the law making process instead life of one Tiyo Sogo, a poet, a writer, an
I don’t normally read speeches but since of being mere objects of the law, because educator, one of the first modernists it
this is advertised as a lecture, I am going “we are free from the ‘apartheid crime is said. He studied in Scotland and was
to start by reading. I am greatly honoured against humanity.’” married to a Scottish woman. He learned
to have been invited to deliver this lecture at the feet of the missionaries, especially,
but I prefer to call it a talk, because that I must add that our struggle led to the I think, the Reverend Govan who started
is what I am going to do, just talk about definition by the UN General Assembly the college and actually educated black
Good Evening. Mandela and Tambo, friends, comrades, of that crime: it is the denial by states children and white children of officials
leaders and their legacy as an inspiration of human dignity, of oppression, of in the same school and in the same
Since this is alleged to be a lecture I for future generations. exclusion because of race from the classrooms until quite late on. In the end
have to start very formally by thanking I want to tell you about my experience of rights contained in the UN Declaration Lovedale College was forced by apartheid
my hosts and greeting the dignitaries these two really great people who were of Human Rights, and other such laws to be a segregated institution.
present: The Deputy High Commissioner also my friends and comrades and leaders documents. It is a definition that is
of South Africa, Councillors of the City of such calibre that we were prepared to relevant today, for example in relation to There were other links, for example
of Glasgow, colleagues from Glasgow follow them to the ends of the earth and the Palestinian people in the occupied freedom of the press, as Brian has just
Caledonian University, University of beyond. Not because they were populist territories. We need to remember that it’s mentioned. It has been a burning issue
Strathclyde and Glasgow University. rabble rousers, but because they were applicable in other countries too. for a very long time and in South Africa
I mentioned GCU first because they thoughtful, committed leaders who had in the 19th century a journalist, John
just happened to give me an honorary a great thought, a vision, and with that You know, I have often wondered why Fairbairn, founder of a newspaper, fought
doctorate so they get priority. The vision a dignified, consistent readiness to Scots should be honouring these two for the freedom of the press in South
Principal of the City of Glasgow College find the necessary strategies and tactics South Africans, Mandela and Tambo and Africa. It was very important then and,
where we are gathered tonight, the to realize that vision. They were ready then people come and say nice things as you will know, there is a Bill currently
chairperson of ACTSA Scotland, who to sacrifice their lives for that vision: a about me as well. It’s very nice to keep passed by Parliament and awaiting to pass
as you have heard is also the Honorary vision of freedom, freedom from racial coming back to hear these nice remarks. through the second chamber, the national
Consul of South Africa in Scotland. oppression by law in the land of their But there is truly a long history of contact Council of Provinces. The Bill gives
They are the sponsors of this evening birth, South Africa, a vision of freedom between Scotland and South Africa. officials the power to declare documents
and I thank them all and thank them from want, and respect for the dignity of Of course, the early contact was that classified. Possession of such documents
for representing their institutions here. all people. For without dignity, we are all of Scottish soldiers serving the British and citing them for whatever reason,
And, then of course, there are the most denied our essential humanity. Empire in the conquest of South Africa. even whistle blowing about fraud, illegal
important people of all, ladies and But also there were missionaries and conduct and the like can lead to 15 years
gentlemen, the Scottish people. I have an old comrade in Cape Town educators who played an important role in prison. Many of us are unhappy about
who recently took part in making a film through institutions such as the Lovedale this for Freedom of the Press is important
about my life in which she says that what College in the Eastern Cape Province. today as well.
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I must say there is a tremendous literature terrorist by apartheid and its international You have a worker’s Poet Laureate, why should a Scot know that? We know
on the links between Scotland and South supporters, should now be this icon that Hamish Henderson. He wrote in the meaning of what Hamish Henderson
Africa and since this is not a lecture we honour in this way. It is very nice but translation in his “Freedom Come All Ye”: was saying.
just a talk (!), I suggest that you go onto sometimes it’s also painful you know,
the internet and look for the material because he was so reviled and we were The fresh wind in the clear days dawning/ And I have to say, we talk about the
yourselves. It’s worth doing. reviled for fighting against this awful blows the clouds helter skelter over the Mandela and Tambo Lecture, but we
oppression and denial of human dignity bay/ but there’s more than a fresh wind could equally talk about Tambo and
In recent years we saw the role of by racism by law, and now people forget blowing/ through the great glen of the Mandela. They were so close. Their lives
the Scottish Committee of the Anti- what it takes to win freedom. They think world today/ it’s a thought that will were so intertwined and they are rare
Apartheid Movement now called ACTSA that freedom just falls from the trees spread throughout the world. people who despite the years of physical
Scotland (Action for Southern Africa) and that Nelson Mandela alone brought He makes it clear that he is indeed separation, one in exile and the other
and, as was mentioned earlier, the City freedom. writing about freedom and that also in prison, were very close to each other.
of Glasgow recently celebrated the 30th means freedom from harassment by They are two of the greatest of those
anniversary of awarding Nelson Mandela Oliver Tambo was his bosom buddy. They Scottish soldiers (for the Empire of many rare people in my country, South
the Freedom the City in 1981. were partners in a law practice. They met course) as I mentioned earlier and he Africa, who would sacrifice everything
in the African National Congress Youth says, “broken families in lands we’ve for the goal of freedom and equality for
I must say I find it interesting that the League in the 1940’s. Together with others harried/ Will curse ‘Scotland the Brave’ all the people of South Africa. This depth
founders of this lecture decided to call behaving like young Turks, young leaders, no more, no more.” Racism will have of African humanism, what Archbishop
it the Mandela - Tambo Lecture because they were able to transform the African been defeated – “black and white to each Tutu calls Ubuntu, the guiding spirit of
not many people recognise Oliver Tambo National Congress from a petitioning other married.” He continues: and “All the their political beliefs and actions, is what
in the way that Nelson Mandela has been small elite group, who tried, by writing bairns of Adam will find bread and barley makes them so special. But of course
recognised. beautiful letters in wonderful mission bree and painted room,” when “A black they were, as I have said, great leaders
school English, to change the political boy from yon Nyanga/ tears down the evil who inspired us in the darkest years, and
The United Nations have declared the policies and social and economic policies gallows of their apartheid masters.” now in the brighter years of our freedom.
18th July, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, as which excluded the African people and
International Nelson Mandela Day and Coloured people and Indian people in Well, the gallows have been torn down, Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, there’s
asked people to do 67 minutes of good South Africa from their rights as human and we have set about trying to ensure another rare one, who with Nelson
works, social work in whatever country beings, into a mass movement, a mass that all the children, all my millions of Mandela was a Nobel Peace Prize winner,
they’re in, in honour of Nelson Mandela. activist movement, a movement of mass children, shall have enough to eat and and of course the names of Chief Albert
Why this crazy idea of 67 minutes? mobilisation of the people. a decent home to live in. But we South John Mvumbi Luthuli have to be added
Well, before he retired he spent 67 years Africans are sensitive to nuances and and FW de Klerk the last apartheid
involved in the struggle for freedom There were various campaigns and this would have preferred that the poet had President should be added to them.
and for human dignity, so a minute for had its effect on Scottish people as well said “yon black man” rather than “boy”, People revile him, of course, for coming
each of those years is what we are asked and really it’s not surprising that Scotland, for those who led and inspired the young so late to understand the immorality of
to do. It’s a big thing in South Africa Glasgow in particular, and the institutions activists to overcome apartheid were apartheid, but he made the move, and he
and I hope it will grow in importance I mentioned as our hosts should be indeed great men and, in apartheid South did lead the change. I think he put his life
around the world. But isn’t it amazing interested in my country and some of its Africa, whites referred to African men of on the line because the apartheid security
that this man who was reviled as a greatest leaders. whatever age as “boy”. It was an insult, but forces hated the change. They believed, as
16 17MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
so many military people do, that killing Africa. There are people I could name in Nelson Mandela in his speech set out his the most powerful military force in
solves all problems. this room who deserve that award but it childhood, the nature of the oppression, Africa. And, at that point, the decision
In the four years between Nelson would be inappropriate to do so. why he’d become a political activist, a was taken to create Umkhonto we Sizwe,
Mandela’s release in 1990 and Nelson It seems to me, that the saying, “cometh peaceful activist in the African National the Spear of the Nation, the armed wing. I
Mandela becoming president in 1994, the time, cometh the man (or the Congress; why in the the Congress followed into that movement. I had been
they murdered between ten and twelve people)” has a certain truth. It was the Alliance with the Indian National arguing for it for a year and I was happy
thousand people and probably more in times we lived through that provided the Congress, he followed the satayagraha to see the change of policy. I believed in
the hope of turning the wheels back. Yet conditions for the emergence of these principle of Mahatma Ghandi, relying on the need to overthrow the apartheid state,
they call it a bloodless revolution because people to greatness. The prize, as I said, peaceful protest and passive resistance; a tyrannical regime, and if it needed force
our media in South Africa, and the world, was not recognition by others. The prize and, eventually, why he had turned to the of arms, we were prepared to do it.
still find it hard to recognise black people was the achievement of freedom for all armed struggle. He did it with clarity, in
as human and their blood as significant our people. a principled reasoned way. He explained Bear in mind, our generation had seen
blood. It makes me very angry; not bitter, to the court that there were two turning what had happened in Spain when a
angry. There is a difference between these I am sure everyone recalls Nelson points, one was the massacre at Sharpville legitimate social democratic elected
two sentiments. Mandela’s closing remarks at the end of when 69 people were murdered and government was overthrown by the fascist
his four hour long address to the court in close to 200 people wounded in peaceful states. Britain, America, France and
I mentioned these Nobel Prize winners, the Rivonia Trial. To paraphrase, he said, protest against the pass laws. There were others all supported the fascists, not the
people who have received international “that all his life he had fought against killings in Langa in Cape Town on the peoples’ social democrat government. We
recognition but, you know, Oliver Tambo white domination and he had fought same day, though much fewer in number, saw in World War Two, partisans fighting
who led the ANC in exile for 30 years, against black domination. He had upheld but Parliament was in session there behind the lines, in Europe, in the Far
and held it together is not so recognized. the ideal of a society in which all could and panicked into declaring a State of East against militarist Japan, in Italy
30 years of leading an exile movement is a live together in peace and harmony. He Emergency. 20,000 people arrested. against the fascists there, and I suppose,
tremendous achievement because in exile hoped to live to see that ideal achieved, I have to quote Winston Churchill, who
movements there are lots of little factions, but if needs be he was prepared to die for My mother went to prison then, and so wanted the guerillas, supported by his
lots of frustrated elements but he was able it”. What a moving speech. did I. Now you know where my politics Special Operations Executive, to ‘set
to hold it together and I am not quite sure come from! Most had four months in Europe ablaze from end to end.’
how he did it. While he’s never received Hidden behind the words, of course, prison, some had five months, and we We were prepared to do that in South
this kind of international recognition, was the challenge to the judge and to came out knowing that nothing had Africa too - to be free.
one of the highest awards in our country the whole of white South Africa, to hang changed, other than greater repression. During that war, the western allies,
is called The Order of the Companions us. I asked him quite recently why the But we knew we could withstand prison Roosevelt and Churchill, met and they
of O R Tambo. People get prizes in his judge didn’t hang us. He said, “because and we went back to our political tasks. published the Atlantic Charter which
name instead of him getting a prize. For I challenged him to and he didn’t dare.” “promoted the end of colonialism” as one
him the prize was freedom. The award of Well, maybe that was the reason. I think In 1961 there was a general strike against of their war aims which would result from
Companion of the Order of O R Tambo is it was the quality of the speech. I think, apartheid policies. It was suppressed with the defeat of the Nazis. We were not going
for non-South Africans who contributed as Brian said, this was meant to be a show every bit of military might apartheid to have colonies after World War Two!!
significantly to the liberation of South trial, to show what terrorists we were and South Africa could muster. At that time But, America just took over from where
Africa and now to the rebuilding of South it turned out that it showed the world the they could put 200,000 men in the field, Britain left off, you know.
brutality and immorality of apartheid.
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Our people, especially the youth, Nelson related charges. In passing sentence, the to go for Nelson Mandela would have led
Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Judge said that the death penalty was the indeed to an uprising but, me, I was the
Lembede and Mda, and others, said they appropriate sentence but he would show white traitor to the apartheid cause and
were going to make sure that colonialism the only lenience he could, and we started if they topped me, well, the whites would
would end in South Africa. That’s why to smile, Nelson too. And when he said have rejoiced and I doubt if my African
they wanted a mass movement. They the sentence was life imprisonment we comrades would have risen up in defence
wanted an activist movement. These laughed out loud. It was a great moment of me. I’m being politically serious now.
things kind of hang together. in our lives but, imagine what sort of a I’m not joking about it, and I said, “but
country, what sort of a country if Nelson more than that, comrade Raymond, it’s
You know, what was equally important Mandela and Walter Sisulu and the others taken 30 years to make you the leader you
about Nelson Mandela as a leader of in that trial had been sentenced to death are, you and the others and we’re going
Umkhonto we Sizwe was that he didn’t and had the executions taken place. At a to need you when we come to rebuilding
call for armed action and then stand personal level, I have to report that I am our country. “Oh,” he said, “thank you,
back. He was the Commander in Chief quite pleased I’m able to be here tonight! comrade, for the compliment.”
prepared to take the risks he called upon (audience laughter and interjection “and Denis Goldberg with OR Tambo, when he was
others to take. so are we!”.) Thank you, thank you. Many years later, a week before he died, recuperating in Sweden
Just before the sentence was passed, my I went to visit him in his sick bed in Port
He was eventually brought from prison comrade Raymond Mhlaba, who was one Elizabeth and we were laughing about Africa. They were partners in a law firm
for some other offences to be Number of the eight convicted in our trial, came this incident because he said, “We never of solicitors. They needed offices near
One accused in the Rivonia Trial and to me during a pause in the proceedings, had to put it to the test did we?” and we the Law courts. It was illegal for them to
they found his diaries and personal because we were in separate parts of the had a laugh again, all those years later, occupy those offices because they were
documents. This was a serious politician. prison: apartheid ruled supreme! He but we had a stone cold sober discussion designated for whites only. But, how can
If you are going to be a military man you said, “Comrade Denis, if there are death about whether we should have allowed you practise law if you can’t be near the
read military theory. If you are going sentences we will not appeal against ourselves to be topped without a fight or Law Courts? So, they simply occupied
to be a politician you read political them. “ “Oh”, I said, “and why not?” and not. offices and the apartheid regime let them
philosophy. You seriously analyse he said, “Well, it’s important that we get I want to talk about Oliver Reginald go on, but those offices became political
political systems, his notes showed it, and out of the way; let them hang us. Our Tambo or O R as we called him. At the headquarters, so to speak, where people
that speech, as I said, transformed the people will be so angry they will rise up time, before the State of Emergency in would allegedly go for legal consultations
way in which our liberation movement and overthrow the apartheid regime.” 1960, the ANC National Executive had and… talk politics. I suppose the place
was perceived throughout the world, that Martyrdom is quite an appealing thing to sent him abroad to win support for the was bugged but there was not much the
we were fighting for democracy, against some, you know. And I said, “You know struggle against apartheid. He was a apartheid system could do about it.
prejudice, for equality, for equal rights of comrade, I am not sure that governments kind of super diplomat for the ANC and Oliver Tambo once told me that Nelson
all human beings. are as stupid as you think they are. I think he had considerable success in Africa Mandela loved a fight. He was tall and
they will wait till they’ve got the situation and in Europe. He followed the ANC’s imposing. When he practised law,
At the end of the Rivonia trial the under control then they will top us one at approach of mobilising people to mobilise he would appear in court and white
Judge found us guilty of conspiracy to a time and see what happens.” Actually, I governments. I talked about them magistrates would not allow him to sit
overthrow the state by force of arms and was afraid they would go for me, because meeting in the 1940’s when they set up at the lawyers tables in the front. They
the first black legal practice in South would put a special table for him at the
20 21MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
back, away from all the white lawyers only be free if you believe you can be Adelaide, in London and travelled you are the President and will be the
and he would then protest and the free!” In other words, that you can and backwards and forwards up and down President.” The modesty on his part
magistrate would threaten him with a fine must overcome the brainwashing by in Africa in piston engine planes, with was not false modesty. It was a genuine
for contempt of court, “Sit where I tell the oppressor. It was a very important little or no money, flying from one capital belief that the title was less important
you!” Of course, Nelson would have then movement and inspired many young to another, hoping that his hosts would than the work he was doing, and equally
appealed and the magistrate’s decision South Africans, who later turned to pay the airfare to the next place. He Nelson Mandela’s speech in the trial, was
would have been overturned because of the African National Congress as the had a little suitcase and a little portable the key to the campaign “Free Mandela”
the bias and so on because we still had organisation of choice. Not all of them, typewriter. Do you remember old that Tambo led and the ANC and the
some honest judges. And so, Oliver told of course, but many. Steve Biko was portable typewriters? Some of you are solidarity movements around the world
me that when they wanted a fight, they murdered by the security police. old enough to remember them. Writing carried on for many years. Do you
would send Nelson because Nelson loved speeches, persuading people, flying remember the Wembley concert? Do you
to tower over his opponent and wag his I was saying that the decision to to New York, to the United Nations remember? Was it 600 million people
finger at him. He really did revel in it. undertake the armed struggle really demanding the end of the Rivonia trial, who watched on television? And the big
But, O R was sent abroad and after the affected Oliver Tambo’s work because, demanding a definition of apartheid, artists who performed? And you know,
decision to undertake the armed struggle once the armed struggle was being mobilizing support, mobilizing for the artists and rock artists, pop artists, their
had more or less been taken, Nelson undertaken, there were governments armed struggle. His wife, Adelaide, had managements don’t want controversy but
Mandela went abroad. As he couldn’t who had been friendly towards the ANC a very tough time. She lived in London. the issue of racism and apartheid was so
get a passport, he simply left and went who were now hostile or lukewarm, They had children. She was a nurse. She strong these rock musicians in Britain
abroad, travelled through Africa. and especially colonial governments. worked two shifts to feed the family and and, all over the world took a lead in
They have this …, did you know, they provide the pocket money for O R to mobilising support. It was a tremendous
There was an amusing incident that he have dual standards about violence survive. And, it’s in the nature of things occasion. Do you remember (singing),
talked about. He was in Addis Ababa in and brutality. When they are violent it’s that movements take for granted what “Free, Free Nelson Mandela”? I’m keeping
Ethiopia and he was to fly to Accra in all very well; it’s civilizing. When the wives give and sacrifice and I understand my daytime job, I’m not going to sing for
Ghana. He got into an Ethiopian airlines oppressed turn round to say we want to now why so often she was angered by a living!
plane, looked in the cockpit, the pilot was be free and we are going to take freedom intolerance of her and of women in Nelson Mandela was offered Honorary
black and he thought, “is there another by our own means, they say, “violence general. Doctorates and cities gave him the
pilot? Is this alright?” He tells the story, to is wrong you know, it’s inhuman.” The But you know O R had been elected freedom of the city, named streets and
say, that even he, the leader of a liberation result of this decision on O R was that Deputy President of the ANC before places like, Nelson Mandela Place.
movement, had to catch himself and he was no longer just a super diplomat. he had been sent out of the country Universities and students wanted to
say, “Why am I so brainwashed?” It’s He was the leader of a movement that and now with the leadership in prison honour him. Then they started offering
an interesting comment that he could needed to feed soldiers who’d been through the Rivonia trial and the many them to O R Tambo and he said “No,
be so honest about it and talk about it, sent out of the country, needed to find trials throughout the country he was de No, give them to my friend Nelson, he’s
to illustrate the point. Steve Bantu Biko countries that would provide place fpr facto the leader. He would not accept in prison.” Until in the end our National
was a much younger person, a leader of camps for military training, and to find the title of President. He said, only the Executive said, “You have to accept
the Black Consciousness Movement and the countries who would train them and people, the members, can elect him and them and you deserve them,” and so he
he summed up his whole philosophical support them, provide the weapons, the he had not been elected so he was Deputy reluctantly agreed. He was that kind of
concept of freedom and the struggle military material and so on. President until the exiled National a man. The title, the honours were not
for freedom in the statement: “You can O R who had lived with his wife, Executive said, “stop this nonsense, important; doing the work was important.
22 23MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
O R Tambo was a revolutionary And, I can tell you, when I came out of out of the country at the time.) There Nelson Mandela, in prison, would say
thinker; he was a humanist, a leader, he prison and people said I must have sold were others involved as well. There was to his comrades, “We cannot lead the
could inspire people to follow. When out, he knew there had been negotiations always the need for new responses. On struggle from inside the prison. You
I was released and went to the ANC for my release. He didn’t tell anybody, he one occasion after Nelson Mandela was don’t know enough detail, you can’t
Headquarters in Lusaka he would come never said it publicly but he sat me down released I was with him at the airport communicate, you can see things very
out from his office into the compound with members of the National Executive going from the VIP lounge at Heathrow clearly because you’re not overwhelmed
where there were always people hanging in Lusaka. There were two easy chairs. to his plane and people had been telling by all the petty detail, and the petty
around and as he stepped out they would One was taken by our Treasurer General, me that he seemed to be coming more personality clashes that occur in every
snap to attention, saluting: ‘Comrade TT Nkobi, a very large man. The other and more remote and authoritarian. He’d movement but you have to leave the
Commander,’ and he would sort of I left for the President, Tambo. He said, just come back from Malaysia, where leadership to the people outside.”
saunter over to somebody and say, “How’s “No, no, Denis you’re the honoured guest, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad
your uncle”, or some similar remark. He you sit in the comfortable chair,” and he was very authoritarian. I mentioned this Nevertheless, there came a point after
knew everybody by name. He knew the sat on a low stool at my knee. I mean to him as the way of opening the topic many years when the apartheid regime
families and he had a genuine concern there was to be a serious discussion about of leadership and there was me giving approached Nelson Mandela about
for people and I think people loved him my future in our movement and there Nelson Mandela a lecture on leadership. release and he said “No”, what we have
and would go to do whatever he wanted. was an argument about who sits in what to talk about is the conditions for the
But he wasn’t casual about things. He chair. He was again that kind of a man. A bit cheeky, I suppose, but I have never transformation of our country. He
demanded that people do the job. We’re People talked and they asked questions held back when I’ve believed in things. was then communicating with Oliver
in a revolution, our people are suffering, and he summed up and he said, “well, He said, “Yes, he and the Prime Minister Tambo outside, who was also involved
we have to do the work. I think he was we all think Denis is in our movement, had discussed leadership and they had in negotiations but together with others
also known as the Protector, the Protector what are we going to do with him, what agreed that a leader is elected to lead and and the apartheid regime. All under cover
of the young and the vulnerable and he work should he be doing” and it ended must therefore lead.” And I said, “Yes, because if we do things openly too many
was indeed such a person. All of our up that I became spokesman in London comrade, but collectively.” “No I am the elements get involved and have their
people were vulnerable and he protected for the ANC. But it was the calmness of leader,” he said. We both went round this say and you can’t move forward. There
us all. the way in which he led the discussion. track a few times and his companions in was a messenger who was able to collect
It was great for me to be received in that the car (read bodyguards), their shoulders correspondence from Nelson Mandela
In the 30 years of exile politics there way, with respect, and with affection, and were beginning to hunch, the hair on the to take to Oliver Tambo. This messenger
were two revolts: one a group of four as a welcoming. I say that I would have back of their necks was standing up. And, read a message in which Nelson said he
and a group of eight. It never spread followed him to the ends of the earth. I think Nelson and I agreed at the end, was talking about talks. The messenger
further because of the sheer brilliance But what was significant about both that the leader must lead when you have let it be known to others, implying Nelson
of his leadership. He had this knack Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo as to find new ways and have to persuade Mandela’s capitulating, he’s talking to the
of sometimes not agreeing and not leaders, was their ability to find new others collectively to follow the new way. enemy. This created serious problems
disagreeing. He knew where he wanted strategies and new tactics when the Since, he’s not here to argue with me I am inside South Africa and O R Tambo wrote
the thing to go and people would argue old ways were no longer effective. I telling you that’s the conclusion we came him a note to ask, “Are you negotiating?
and he would say, “yes, that’s very mentioned the Youth League and the to! And that’s the brilliance of these two Why haven’t you told us?” and Nelson
interesting, we need to talk about it.” mass mobilization. I mentioned Nelson leaders. That is in fact the way Nelson led, wrote back to say, “We’ve known each
In the meantime, it was going in his Mandela leading the development of in practice. And so did OR other for fifty years, our friendship is so
direction. the armed struggle. (Oliver Tambo was
24 25MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
deep, how can you doubt me? What I’m There was no sense of “It’s my ANC and and as I said with Nelson and Oliver it
talking about is what are the conditions I’m the President.” He was content to say was the same kind of thing.
that have to be fulfilled so that we can that he had done his job now you carry
have substantive talks. I will not enter into on. He didn’t see freedom. Chris Hani Nelson Mandela was given a second
substantive talks without the leadership.” one of our great leaders was assassinated. concert at Wembley. We didn’t know he
It was a remarkable answer and of course Oliver Tambo flew from Britain to South was going to be free and suddenly he’s
the friendship was so deep between these Africa to attend the funeral. It was too on the stage there and he made a speech.
two leaders that the problem was ironed much for him and he died shortly after He made a speech in praise of Oliver
out. and before liberation. And so some Tambo. A well deserved praise but there
people call him our Moses, who led us to was no sense of I’m bigger than you or
In the meantime Oliver Tambo had freedom but didn’t see the promised land. you’re bigger than me. This was about
exhausted himself physically. He’d had two comrades, brothers, brothers in
one stroke after the other, he would What’s their legacy? Sacrifice, selflessness, arms. I wish our politicians, yours and
drag his leg, left leg, when he walked. a vision of humanity, a belief in human ours, could have the sense of a destiny, of
Sometimes his speech was a bit affected beings, a country that has a democratic freedom, that overrides the personal.
and then he suddenly had a tremendous Denis Goldberg with Nelson Mandela
constitution, a wonderful constitution.
stroke and was laid low. He was taken to (photograph: Matthew Willman, courtesy of the Many of its conditions we can’t yet fulfil. I am going to stop there to say that for
Sweden to recuperate. Olof Palme, Prime Mandela Foundation) We guarantee jobs, we guarantee enough me the biggest difference between living
Minster of Sweden, had been a great nice greeting. Winnie, his wife, was next to eat, we guarantee housing, fresh under apartheid and living in my new
supporter. He had supported the ANC on to him and she looks at me and she says water …… we’re getting there slowly, South Africa, our new South Africa,
humanitarian grounds. “I know that face, you’re quite famous at not fast enough. We make mistakes, we Madame Deputy High Commissioner,
home you know,” and they’d gone. And have corrupt people who slow down is that we have the problems, we have
And then Nelson Mandela was released off we went to the Presidential Palace the process. We have a terrible legacy terrible issues to resolve but we debate
and went to visit O R in Sweden, where where Nelson was to stay and to meet of inequalities, we lack a trained Civil them, we argue them, we protest.
he was recuperating. When he arrived it with O R. And when they met each other Service with integrity, we suffer from the Sometimes our police are brutal in their
was quite remarkable because there was after 30 years of separation you can’t ills of a corrupt worldwide society, we suppression of it and are being criticised,
a queue of thousands of people waiting believe the joy. They glowed and O R who have corrupt MP’s. I think you might by government as well, certainly by our
to greet Nelson Mandela. The television was exhausted from all the years and ill know about that in Britain as well. I am people. We don’t all end up in prison and
cameraman pushed his backside into was absolutely glowing. He was up on his not condoning it but I am saying that we that’s because we are a democracy.
your face as he walked backwards and feet, he was talking, he was chattering and share the problems.
you knew the man was coming. And at some point round that time when he It’s very nice to be part of it.
suddenly he’s standing in front of me, he handed over the Presidency of the ANC You know, I say I met Nelson again and
looks at me and he says “it’s a long time to Nelson Mandela he said something we hadn’t seen each other for 26 years and Thank you for listening to me.
since we’ve seen each other, boy.” Well, like, “I have done my best to nurture the yet it was as if no time had passed at all,
he was fifteen years older and I was the ANC and protect it and now hand it back,
youngest so I was “boy” and, ah, it was a bigger and stronger than ever.”
26 27MANDELA-TAMBO LECTURE SERIES
VOTE OF THANKS
by Janis Carson, Vice Principal, City of Glasgow College
Friends and colleagues, I’m sure you will saying ‘I do things about South Africa’ –
agree with me that it has been an absolute I think ‘doing things’ are the imperative
privilege to hear Professor Goldberg words here. Brian has spent many years
speak this evening. supporting the causes of freedom,
democracy and education. He continues
Denis’s perennial optimism, integrity and to be a friend of City of Glasgow College
love of life is an absolute inspiration. promoting the aims of Community
HEART with our students and without
We hope that in recording and publishing him this lecture series would not have
this lecture we can share this experience taken place.
with a wider audience especially with our
students young and old alike who can Thanks also to everyone else who has
also be inspired by Denis’s tremendous contributed to make this event possible,
struggle against injustice and his colleagues at ACTSA Scotland, Principal
commitment and passion for freedom Paul Little for hosting and sponsoring
and democracy. On behalf of everyone this event, to the marketing, events and
here and those who would have liked to catering teams here at City of Glasgow
be able to join us this evening, thank you College and not least to you, our guests,
so much for sharing your experiences for coming along this evening, thank you
with us. all so much.
Thanks also to the Deputy High
Commissioner, Bongiwe Qwabe, for
lending your support to this event both
today and since the inaugural lecture
back in 2006. This lecture has become
an important milestone for Glasgow and
continues to cement our longstanding
relationship with South Africa.
Our thanks are also very much due to
Brian Filling, Honorary Consul to SA,
(From left to right) Bongiwe Qwabe, South African
Chair of ACTSA Scotland and Vice Depute High Commissioner, Paul Little, City of Glasgow
President of Community Heart. I have College Principal, Brian Filling, Honorary Consul for
often heard Brian introduce himself by South Africa, Professor Denis Goldberg, Janis Carson
addressing the audience (photograph: Brian Purdie)
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