Letter: Mandela's burden
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: In your editorials, and still more in your news reports, would you please stop referring to Nelson Mandela's "paranoia" (18 December)? As evidence to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has clearly shown, in the past some exceedingly unpleasant things happened, which included infiltration of the ANC by people acting on behalf of their white political opponents, some of whom did not mind torturing and killing black people. One does not need to be a comrade or a psychiatric patient to believe that some of these malign influences might still be around.
At a completely different level it is profoundly disappointing that some of the big corporations, in their evidence to the commission, did not seem to appreciate their role in supporting the previous regime.
Moreover, despite some positive initiatives, the attitude of so many white people and the companies they run suggests that they fall short of wholehearted support for change. One gets the impression that they feel that if you employ a few black chaps, to show willing, then that is enough. They do not seem to appreciate that economic growth, political stability, and freedom from crime all require a more substantial change of attitude and behaviour on the part of individuals and corporations. Difficult after all these years, of course, but essential.
Finally, you refer to the Stalinist length of Mandela's speech. After all that he has done for South Africa over the years I do not begrudge him the chance to spend a few hours talking to his own supporters in his final speech to them. It is worth remembering that the Pope used to spend a similar time talking to his flock.
PAUL TWYMAN
Birchington, Kent
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments