Read Conversations with Myself Online
Authors: Nelson Mandela
16 JUNE 1986
Dreamt of Zami having become an attorney. She appears in a case against Mandela and Tambo, takes judgment by default. NM arrives in court to apply for rescission of judgment and I call her into court
17 JUNE 1986
W/O Gregory informs me in arrogant manner that the letter he misplaced is gone and that there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. He also states that nobody, whatever his position, can threaten him.
18 JUNE 1986
Had discussion with Maj Van Sittert re W/O Gregory. Major promises to take up matter as soon as W/O Gregory is available
18 AUGUST 1986
Rev Peter Storey devotional prelude on ‘The Monday’
58
Film of Muhammad Ali in Germany, also ‘The Nerds take Revenge’ and a short
59
19 AUGUST 1986
Rev Peter Storey on forgiveness
20 AUGUST 1986
Rev Peter Storey on the Lord’s Prayer
25 AUGUST 1986
BP taken by Major Burger 140/80
Rev Brian Johanson… on ‘standing’
26 AUGUST 1986
Rev Brian Johanson on ‘walking’
27 AUGUST 1986
Rev Brian Johanson on ‘sitting’
4 SEPTEMBER 1986
Father Michael Austin of Johannesburg. On how to live like Christ
BP 120/70 taken by Major Burger
5 SEPTEMBER 1986
Father Michael Austin: Loyola said if somebody told him that he was about to die he would continue to play cards
10 SEPTEMBER 1986
Zondo (Sibusiso), Sipho Bridget Xulu and Clarence Lucky Payi executed
60
1 OCTOBER 1986
Provided with television set. Whole programme upset watching tel[evision] from 4 pm – 6.45 pm
8 OCTOBER 1986
Supplied with new and better antenna
10 OCTOBER 1986
Meeting with Daliwonga, accompanied by H.T. Mpunzi, Transkei Consul and Nelson Mabunu
61
19 OCTOBER 1986
President Samora Machel dies in air crash on the border between SA and Mozambique
20 OCTOBER 1986
Radio announces the death of Samora Machel, President of the Republic of Mozambique. The Minister of Defence and Minister of Transport and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
11 DECEMBER 1986
Post Zindzi’s birthday card. Dreamt of Jimmy and Connie.
62
Jimmy visits Zami and me and we invite him to come to spend holiday with us. Also dreamt asking Mr Sidelsky to get me a job
26 DECEMBER 1986
Spent the day with colleagues at their premises and enjoyed a lovely lunch
27 JANUARY 1987
[In Afrikaans] Not satisfied with the evidence about the missing letter to Zami. It was not a photostat. The post office promises to sent a photostat in the meantime
18 FEBRUARY 1987
1 reel of 50 m dental floss.
Start receiving 1 litre a day of fresh milk.
20 FEBUARY 1987
BP. 120/80.
23 FEBRUARY 1987
Celebrate Thembi’s birthday with a piece of rich fruit cake and peanuts
4 APRIL 1987
Examined by Dr Marshall: trouble with the right eye. Can see nothing
8 APRIL 1987
Consultation with Prof J Van Rooyen, Tygerberg [Hospital], finds hole in retina and operates on right eye and recommends new reading lenses. To see us again in a fortnight
20 APRIL 1987
Visited by my 4 comrades from Women’s Section of the prison for 2 hrs
63
22 APRIL 1987
Jim Fish of the BBC announces the resignation of Joe Slovo as MK [Umkhonto we Sizwe] Chief of Staff. A comment by John Barratt.
64
Consult Prof Van Rooyen, Tygerberg. Puts additional laser shots on right eye, to see me again in month’s time
23 APRIL 1987
Interview with C.O.P [commissioner of prisons] Gen. Willemse, re harassment of family.
9 JULY 1987
Dakar Conference between ANC and group of South Africans begins.
14 JULY 1987
Consulted Dr De Haan, Ear, Nose and throat specialist re pain in right jaw joint. Examination reveals no observable abnormalities other than a slight swelling of a duct in the right ear and possibly unrelated to the pain.
6 AUGUST 1987
Ayesha [Arnold]’s birthday: At 9.20 am Sgt. [Sergeant] Brand informs me of the death of Ayesha. Immediately handed in telegram for dispatch to Ameen and the children.
19 AUGUST 1987
Weight 67 kg: body mass without clothes
New razor blade
20 AUGUST 1987
Measurement of cell 6,4 metres x 5,4 metres
22 AUGUST 1987
An hr interview with Kathy [Ahmed Kathrada] on his birthday
7 SEPTEMBER 1987
Attempt to avoid taking plain sugar in all kinds of food and drink
12 SEPTEMBER 1987
My sister, Mabel, pays 40 minute visit. Gave her R120,00
65
26 SEPTEMBER 1987
Celebrated Zami’s birthday with mutton breyani plus butter beans and a piece of rock fruit cake
27 DECEMBER 1987
Harvey advises that our new house in Soweto has been bombed and damaged. Saw Tyhopho [Walter Sisulu] for 40 minutes.
5 JUNE 1988
Consultation with Dr Shapiro on pain under right collar bone and on left foot. X-ray reveals no abnormalities, but there’s blood in urine. Suggest examination by urologist. Weight 72¼ kg
12 AUGUST 1988
Admitted to Tygerberg Hospital after 10 p.m. Examined by Prof Rossenstrauch
13 AUGUST 1988
Examined by Prof. De Kock, Head of Internal medicine. Diagnose T.B. and pleural effusion
17 AUGUST 1988
Visited by Rev Anthony Simons
24 AUGUST 1988
Weight 71 kg: Matron Elaine Kearns goes on leave as from
25.8.88
New pyjamas and sleepers
25 AUGUST 1988
Weight 70,3 kg
27 AUGUST 1988
Weight 71,5 kg. Sister De Waal goes on holiday
10 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Brings along hazel nuts. Home supplies bag of peanuts
11 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock: Observations taken by Sister E Kearns (no relation of matron). E Kearns of Tygerberg. Sister Letitia Johnson taking observations in the evening. Sister Marlene Vorster brings chocolate cake.
12 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 69,5 kg
14 SEPTEMBER 1988
Sister Killassy Pam, E. leaves on week’s holiday
20 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Matron Tee announces that she would fly to London to visit her sick sister
22 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 70 kg. Four blood specimen[s] taken by Major Kleinhans.
Dr Stock did not turn up. Dr Stock turns up about 5 pm. Received report that I have started coughing again. I assure him that I was not coughing.
26 SEPTEMBER 1988
Weight 71 kg. Dr Stock examines me as usual
Visited the ‘garden’ for ±45 minutes. Misty and cold
27 SEPTEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock, as usual
Nurse Kay celebrated her 21st birthday on 25.9.88 Visited by Sister Bradley
28 SEPTEMBER 1988
Prison outfit brought over
15 OCTOBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock as usual. Examined also by Prof De Kock
Visited by Zami, Leabie, Zindzi, Zozo and Zondwa
66
17 OCTOBER 1988
Sat for exam in Military Law
Dr Stock examines at about 5.30 pm
22 OCTOBER 1988
Dr Stock examines me as usual. Prescribes two pairs of long elastic socks and Cepacol
24 OCTOBER 1988
Weight 71 kg. Dr Stock examines me: Got 500 g peanuts; 100g brazils; 100g almonds. Dr Strauss, Chief Superintendent of Tygerberg, visits me.
3 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Major Marais advises that request to purchase clothing has been granted. Weight 71 kg
19 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Sister Ruth Skosana takes fortnight’s leave
21 NOVEMBER 1988
Weight 73 kg. Sister Ray leaves for 3 weeks holiday to Johannesburg. Examined by Dr Stock
30 NOVEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock. Returns twice to report on results of blood test and on condition of Sister Julie Morgan. Tests disclose viral meningitis.
7 DECEMBER 1988
Examined by Dr Stock
Transferred from Constantiaberg Clinic about 9.30 pm to Paarl [Victor Verster Prison]
8 DECEMBER 1988
Private X 6005 South Paarl. Prison 1335/88
Examined by Dr Schoening. 7624-41011 (02211)
23 DECEMBER 1988
Spent 7 hrs with Pollsmoor comrades
25 DECEMBER 1988
Visited by Zami, Zindzi, Zozo and the 2 Zondwas
67
2 JANUARY 1989
Visited by Brig T.T. Matanzima from ± 1915 am [
sic
] to 1.30 pm.
Agreed to see the 2 contending parties in the Thembu succession dispute.
17 JANUARY 1989
Zami and Zindzi pay visit from 11 am to 1.15 pm. Had lunch together
25 JANUARY 1989
Visited the X-ray firm of Ormond and Partners at City Park. On return journey drove past Langa, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Khayelitsha, Strand, Beaufort West, Du Toit Pass [
sic
], Grabouw, Elgin and Frenchoek [
sic
]. R9,70 to Sgt Gregory
27 JANUARY 1989
T.B. treatment ended
24 FEBRUARY 1989
Visited by Mr Sidelsky for 40+ minutes. His wife and daughter, Ruth, not allowed in. Barry a minister of religion in Israel. Colin in commerce in SA (estate agent).
68
R9.70 given to Sgt Gregory
12 MARCH 1989
Received so far 674 birthday cards from Cape Democrats.
15 MARCH 1989
Visited by Tyhopho from 11.15 to 2 pm
16 MARCH 1989
Examined by Prof. M.B. Van Rooyen. Right eye deteriorating but op not indicated. Passed through Wellington, Worcester, Rawsonville, Tulbagh through Du Toit [
sic
] tunnel. Re-examination by Dr Van Seggelin. Also visited Pollsmoor [Prison].
17 MARCH 1989
Visited by Bri Bri [Wilton Mkwayi] from 11.15 am to 1.30 pm. liquifilm.