Mandela in Lobatse (Part 1)

Its Indian driver registered himself as “M. Ismael of 10, Main Road, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, en route for Kanye visit.” In the back of the van the underground leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), Nelson Mandela, stayed out of sight.

For both the driver and his passenger it had been a long and stressful morning. Having said goodbye to his anxious wife Winnie, at just after midnight Mandela had set out for Soweto, where he was to have rendezvoused with Walter Sisulu, Duma Nokwe and Ahmed “Kathy” Kathrada. The trio had been tasked with bringing Mandela his transport and travel credentials, along with final instructions.