The Motshabi Commission Report
The Motshabi Commission Report On 2 May 1975, the Motshabi Commission delivered an interim report on the condition of the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) existing People’s Army abroad. The “Commission on the State of Affairs in Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in East Africa” was established by the ANC Revolutionary Council on 17 April 1975, with a mandate to investigate the causes of and possible remedies for the “deterioration of the standard of military life and…
Nkosazana Dlamini: The ANC is the Answer
Nkosazana Dlamini: The ANC is the Answer In March 1977, Nkosazana Dlamini, the Vice President of SASO (South African Students Organisation) and a member of the African National Congress (ANC) underground inside South Africa was interviewed by Sechaba, the official organ of the ANC of South Africa. When she escaped the country, Nkosazana was the only member of SASO’s executive not in detention. Dlamini was interviewed while she was representing the Movement in Amsterdam, in…
Bram Fischer: “What I Did Was Right”
Bram Fischer: “What I Did Was Right” Exactly sixty years ago, on 9 May 1966, Abram “Bram” Fischer was sentenced to life imprisonment for his political activities against apartheid and twenty-four years for being a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP). Bram had been arrested in 1964 for being a member of the illegal organisation, the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA). He was later released on bail and in January 1965 he…
Oliver Tambo: Racism, Apartheid and a New World Order
Oliver Tambo: Racism, Apartheid and a New World Order (On 8 May 1986, the African National Congress published a Speech by ANC President O. R. Tambo in Acceptance of the Third World Prize on Behalf of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5 May 1986). “The most senior leaders of the oppressed people of South Africa have been in prison for almost a quarter of a century now. They, who would have contributed so…
People’s Victory at Dien Bien Phu: 7 May 1954
People’s Victory at Dien Bien Phu: 7 May 1954 From 13 March to 7 May 1954, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu occurred, resulting in a decisive victory for the Viet Minh and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) over French forces. Commanded by General Võ Nguyên Giáp, the PAVN used surprise artillery and tunnel tactics to overwhelm the French garrison, capturing strongpoints like Beatrice and Gabrielle, sealing the airfield, and forcing a surrender on…
PW Botha Resigns from the National Party
PW Botha Resigns from the National Party On 6 May 1990, former leader of the National Party (NP) and head of state, Pieter Willem Botha, resigned from the party in protest against President F.W. de Klerk’s reform proposals. On 2 – 4 May 1990, the Groote Schuur talks took place between the apartheid government and the African National Congress (ANC). An agreement was reached about conditions for full-scale negotiations on ending political conflict in South…
Recalling the Incredible Edendale Hospital MK Rescue Operation
Recalling the Incredible Edendale Hospital MK Rescue Operation On 5 May 1986, at approximately 16:20, Derrick McBride was involved in a meeting with Matthew Lecordier, Antonio du Preez, Greta Apelgren and Walter Khumalo at the Factorama Workshop, whereby Robert McBride was addressing the group and consistently pointing at a hand-drawn street map that was on a stuck piece of cardboard hanging on the wall, saying “This is the Edendale Hospital”. Previously, on 2 May 1986,…