The Other Side of History

One thing the 'old' and 'new' South Africa have in common is a passion for inventing history.

History is not seen as a dispassionate inquiry into what happened, but rather as part of political mobilisation promoting some form of collective self-interest.

Not for one second do I pretend to know the 'whole' or 'real' story of what happened in the old South Africa, or what is happening in the 'new'. I know that significant parts of what has been, or is being invented, are not the way I experienced them.

This is a personal reflection on a fascinating period in my life which coincided with fundamental shifts in the political life of South Africa.

I was fortunate to be in a position where I knew and had access to persons of influence across the political spectrum.

This is my account of their interaction with each other and mine with them.

- Frederik van Zyl Slabbert

Frederik van Zyl Slabbert was in Parliament in opposition against the Nationalist government from 1974 till 1986. His career in opposition politics culminated in 1979 when he became the leader of the opposition. He resigned from Parliament over the issue of the Tricameral Parliament, a foolish Nationalist constitutional development, as the ruling party stumbled towards finally accepting that Nelson Mandela must be released and a democratic South Africa