Mandela overshadows De Klerk in Hani aftermath

The Herald 21 April 1993

BLACKS still do not have the vote in South Africa, but in the turbulent aftermath of the assassination of Cde Chris Hani, it seemed as though “president” Nelson Mandela had already taken office.

His was the calming voice broadcast twice on state television as the nation trembled on the brink of a racial war. He sought to reassure whites while confronting angry black township youths with a message of racial conciliation they did not want to hear.

President F.W. de Klerk kept such a low profile during the deepest national crisis in years that it is being widely said he effectively handed over moral authority to the man he freed from 27 years in jail for fighting white rule.

“This was the week when moral authority passed visibly from the Government to the African National Congress.

“It was to Mr Nelson Mandela that the country turned . . ,” wrote white liberal columnist Ken Owen.

“Power slipped visibly from the limp hands at Groote Schuur (Mr de Klerk’s residence), to the stronger hands at Shell House (ANC Headquarters).”

Business Day newspaper, required reading for the whites who run the economy, said in an editorial Mr de Klerk had become defensive, pre-occupied with claims that whites were threatened because a black had died.

“While the president deploys 23 000 troops to protect whites, it is ANC president Mandela whose utterances are more statesmanlike . . . (De Klerk) has sadly misjudged the situation.”

The appearances on state television by both leaders following the slaying of Cde Hani were contrasting.

Breaking precedent, Cde Mandela was twice given prime time slots to address the nation.

“When crisis requires a national figure, it was always the white prime minister or president,” said media analyst Raymond Louw.

“This time, the calming voice throughout was Mandela’s.”

Cde Mandela stressed repeatedly that while a white man killed Cde Hani, fast action by a white witness led to a quick arrest.

Mr De Klerk appeared twice in interviews in which he spoke mostly in his native Afrikaans, regarded by millions of blacks as the language of apartheid oppression.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ When tragedy like the assassination of a prominent personality occurs, wisdom is important. That voice of reason guides in how the messaging should be packaged and communicated, so that peace and unity are maintained.

◆ Allowing former President Nelson Mandela to address the nation following the assassination of Chris Hani, one of the most popular liberation fighters averted a potentially explosive situation, which could have led to outright civil war in South Africa.

◆ A number of liberation fighters were assassinated, but their deaths remain open to speculation. Even if the assassins are arrested, there is need for thorough investigation to arrive at the bigger picture, since most of them do not work as a single cell.

◆ Both late President Nelson Mandela and revolutionary Chris Hani remain towering figures in Africa’s colonial and post-colonial history.