Looking Back

From the Sunday Times 50 years ago

A NEW “super king-size” cigarette — almost a quarter as long again as the ordinary king-size — is to be introduced on the South African market and other major world markets tomorrow. The cigarettes were airlifted from London to 60 countries in more than 100 aircraft. “The airlift was as secretly and meticulously planned as a military exercise,” Mr G. T. G. Moorhead, chairman of the United Tobacco Companies (South ) Ltd., told me yesterday. “The new super king-size cigarette is another 20mm longer and is expected to alter smoking habits throughout the world,” Mr Moorhead said. — November 20 1966

From the Sunday Times 25 years ago

PRESIDENT FW de Klerk is heading for a row with former President PW Botha over a crucial tape recording of his historic first meeting with ANC leader Nelson Mandela in July 1989. Mr Botha asked for the tape to help him write his memoirs, but was told it had been destroyed. According to a reliable source, Mr Botha wants to use the tape to dispel suggestions that he set the course of reform which President De Klerk has followed. On Tuesday Dr Niel Barnard, DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence, visited Mr Botha at his Wilderness home to smooth things over. There, sources told the Sunday Times, he was met by an angry Mr Botha. — November 17 1991