ARTICLE: TYING MANDELA’S SHOELACES: NIËL BARNARD’S ACCOUNT OF THE SECRET REVOLUTION
Niël Barnard’s autobiography, Secret Revolution, provides an interesting insight into the secret negotiations between Nelson Mandela and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in 1988/89 that helped prepare the way to the constitutional transformation of South Africa.
Barnard tells us how he established the NIS despite the opposition of the state’s other intelligence agencies.
He also reveals the substantial role that NIS played in establishing secret ties with a number of African governments – often without the knowledge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In 2002 the United Nations declared 21 May World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
Language of instruction is a key issue at the heart of debate in most multilingual countries.
On 1 May, South Africa will once again celebrate Workers’ Day – although, in truth, there is nothing to celebrate.
Race relations in South Africa are more fractious now than they have been at any time since 1994.
Current developments on the campuses of NWU, Stellenbosch and UCT are raising core questions, not only about the future of our universities, but also about the nature of our multicultural society.
Many South Africans were charmed by the more conciliatory tone that President Zuma adopted in his response last week during to the State of the Nation (SONA) Debate.
International Mother Language Day, proclaimed in 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is the occasion to celebrate linguistic diversity.