“In December the African National Congress (ANC) received an invitation from the Pan-African Freedom Movement for East, Central and Southern Africa (PAFMECSA) to attend its conference in Addis Ababa in February 1962. PAFMECSA, which later became the Organisation of African Unity, aimed to draw together the independent states of Africa and promote the liberation movements on the continent. The conference would furnish important connections for the ANC and be the first and best chance for us to enlist support, money and training for MK” (Umkhonto we Sizwe – the People’s Army).
“The underground Executive asked me to the lead the ANC delegation to the conference. Although I was eager to see the rest of Africa and meet freedom fighters from own continent, I was greatly concerned that I would be violating the promise I had made not to leave the country but operate from the underground. My colleagues, including Chief Luthuli, insisted that I go, but were adamant that I return immediately afterwards. I decided to make the trip.”
“Before leaving, I secretly drove to Groutville to confer with the chief. Our meeting – at a safe house in town – was disconcerting. As I have related, the chief was present at the creation of MK, and was as informed as any member of the National Executive about its development. He chastised me for not consulting him about the formation of MK. I attempted to remind him of the discussions that we had in Durban about taking up violence,
