Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 15, 1991 TAG: 9102150488
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JUSTINE ELIAS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But Nelson Mandela's oldest daughter denounces the South African government's policy of apartheid with the same passion as her famous father.
"I'm called a political activist because I speak out about South Africa and apartheid," she told an audience of 300 Thursday night at Radford University's Preston Hall.
Mandela, who is pursuing a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Massachusetts, was a guest of the university's Black Awareness Programming Board.
"The cruelty of those who rule South Africa knows no limits. They have no respect for black human life. Blacks are presented as an obstacle to white objectives," she said.
Under apartheid, South Africa's system of racial segregation that allows 5 million whites to maintain political and economic control over 30 million blacks, the majority of the population cannot vote or move freely throughout the country. Schools, hospitals, residential areas - virtually every aspect of life - are racially segregated.
Mandela's father was jailed for 26 years for his participation in the African National Congress, a political organization banned by the white minority government. Despite recent talks between ANC leaders and the white government, nothing has changed in the lives of black South Africans, Mandela said.
"I don't think any steps have been taken to end apartheid," she said.
Dismantling apartheid without building better education, welfare and health care systems for blacks, Mandela said, "is meaningless as far as 30 million blacks are concerned."
The government, she said, still determines the future of black South Africans. South African President F.W. de Klerk has announced plans to seek parliamentary approval for reforms, a move, Mandela said, that effectively delays the changes.
Apartheid must end "not tomorrow, not in five years, but now, immediately," she said.
Mandela said economic sanctions have been effective in forcing the minority government to negotiate with black leaders, but that the United States and other countries should keep the pressure on until changes are made.
Mandela bristled at a question by a reporter who suggested that progress is being hindered by clashes between rival black factions.
More than 5,000 blacks have died in factional fighting since 1986 between supporters of the African National Congress and backers of a Zulu movement known as the Inkatha Freedom Party. Both the ANC and Inkatha oppose apartheid, but the two groups differ over tactics and plans for a future South Africa.
Mandela compared the division among blacks to the political upheaval during the U.S. Civil War. "This might just be a period of transition."
And, she added, "the fighting is between two political parties, not between two tribes. That's what you people in the press say - not us."
Mandela would not talk about criminal charges pending against her stepmother, Winnie Mandela, and three other ANC supporters. Winnie Mandela has denied allegations that she participated in the kidnapping and assault of four youths in December 1988. One of the youths, 14-year-old Stompei Seipei, died.
Prosecutors say members of Mandela's former bodyguard unit, the Mandela United Football Club, abducted the youths and took them to Mandela's Soweto home, where the beatings allegedly occurred.
Defense attorneys are seeking the dismissal of all charges, citing lack of evidence. Most of the government's witnesses have refused to testify.
Maki Mandela was at school in Massachusetts at the time of the alleged offense. "I'm not going to comment on something I know nothing about," she said.
Mandela said she has learned to cope with the obligations and pressure of being the daughter of a famous political leader.
"I have my own viewpoints. I don't think politics is inherited," she said.
"I'm just like any other human being. People always expect you to be something - and they are sometimes disappointed when you're not what they expect."
After completing her doctorate, Mandela plans to return to South Africa to look for a job. She dismisses speculation that she will embark on a political career.
"I decided a long time ago: I am who I am. My father carved out his identity, and I have to do that in my own life."
by CNB