Between Catastrophe and Peace, Reconciliation over Revenge…

 I also wanted to write about the dangers of hate and extremism. The story of what happened in 1993 reminds us that we dare not forget the danger they posed then, and pose today, to our present and our collective future. They are on the rise now, in South Africa, the United States, Europe, across the globe. Where once they operated in the shadows, the forces of ‘illiberalism’ now sit in parliaments and in executive positions, pulling us to the extremes on any number of issues, from immigration to race, gender, health care, reproductive rights and so many others. The need for ethical, values-driven leadership such as that displayed by Nelson Mandela in that week has never been as urgent as it is today

By Aayushi Rana

In April 1993, South Africa was pushed to the brink of a devastating ‘civil war’ following the assassination of Chris Hani, a highly revered and popular, anti-apartheid leader and revolutionary. The violence that erupted in the aftermath of his death shattered years of progress toward a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. 

In A Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation, Justice Malala delivers a gripping, intense, and well-researched account of the precarious week that followed Hani’s murder. Through his narrative, we witness Nelson Mandela’s crucial role in steering the nation away from chaos, during, what is perceived, as one of the darkest chapters in the turbulent history of South Africa, in the last phase of apartheid.

From the outset, Malala’s path-breaking book establishes the gravity of the assassination. Hani was not just a political figure, but a living symbol of hope and courage for many Black South Africans fighting against the apartheid regime, against all odds. His death at the hands of Janusz Waluś, a Right-wing extremist, sent shock waves through the country, igniting violent protests in townships that the government struggled to suppress. 

South Africa, already rife with political tension, appeared on the verge of erupting into widespread civil strife and violence. For anyone familiar with the broad strokes of South Africa’s transition to democracy, this period was always fraught with danger. What Malala does so effectively in his book is to narrow in on that one critical week after Hani’s assassination and zoom in on the ‘human elements’ at play: the collective angst and anger, the deep emotional turmoil, the diabolical political machinations, and, most importantly, the visionary, strategic and wise leadership of Nelson Mandela — the great man at the helm of the African National Congress (ANC). 

By examining this short yet consequential period, the author sheds light on the delicate balance between catastrophe and peace. The story revolves around Mandela’s responses in the days following the assassination. As the author recounts, Mandela’s calm and measured calls for peace—despite the widespread demand for revenge—helped prevent the simmering violence from spiraling out of control. 

His speeches, particularly during the night vigils for Hani, were not merely emotional appeals; they were tactical moves designed to defuse the anger felt by the Black community, and to reassure the white minority that retribution was not the path forward. 

Malala portrays Mandela as a leader who understood the complexity of the moment. He knew that a retaliatory response could destroy the fragile political negotiations already underway, after decades of mass suffering, injustices and bad faith legitimized by apartheid, under a white, racist and supremacist regime, backed by America and its Western allies.

What makes Mandela’s leadership so striking, as Malala demonstrates, is the restraint he exercised during a time when anger could have overwhelmed reason and sanity. The context surrounding this period cannot be overstated. 

South Africa was transitioning from decades of apartheid, and every decision made by its leaders carried immense weight. Mandela’s refusal to be swayed by the heated emotions of the time stands out as a testament to his commitment to reconciliation over revenge. In this way, he emerges from the narrative as the embodiment of an ethical, balanced, and values-driven leadership. 

The lesson here is clear: restraint in severe and tense moments of crisis, coupled with a broader vision for peace. That is a true hallmark of effective and wise leadership. While the book focuses primarily on Mandela, it is important to acknowledge that his leadership was not the only political factor at play. Malala, though respectful of Mandela’s towering presence, does not miss the opportunity to delve deeper into the roles of other key figures, such as FW de Klerk, the South African president at the time, whose engagement in the negotiations was crucial.

De Klerk, like the leader of the ANC, understood the importance of steering South Africa toward its first, multi-racial election. However, his involvement in shaping the historical course of events receives less attention, leaving a gap in the narrative that could have offered a more comprehensive view of the political landscape.

Nevertheless, Malala excels in illustrating the ‘broader context’ of South Africa’s fragile peace process. The book’s structure, with a detailed cast of characters and a timeline of events, allows readers to follow the complex web of highs and lows, the political factions, the heady, protracted freedom movement, and individuals and revolutionaries who influenced this pivotal moment in the history of the nation. 

Indeed, the whole world, including India, was watching with avid attention, this radical transformation in a distant country which marked decades of huge struggles, mass injustice, infinite sacrifices, and endless jail-terms, suffered by Mandela and his ANC comrades. Mandela himself spent 27 long years in prison, condemned in the isolated Robben Island. Undoubtedly, this dogged fight against racism was one of the final dismantling of the white bastions of colonial slavery, led by the British. 

No wonder, South Africa, its fighting Black people, and Mandela,became iconic inspirations for the rest of the world, especially those still suffering from the chains of white slavery, and the brutish remnants of unfreedom and colonialism. No wonder, it was South Africa which led the struggle against the genocidal regime of Benjamin Netyanyahu of Israel, in the International Court of Justice, in recent times — because, for them, the brutalized history of ‘Occupied Palestine’,was similar to their own history of condemnation during the nasty era of racism.

Interestingly, Malala resists the temptation to speculate about what would have happened if Hani had lived. Instead, he closes with Mandela and De Klerk winning the Nobel Peace Prize and the launch of the Transitional Executive Council which ushered in the largely peaceful elections on April 27 1994.

One of the central themes in A Plot to Save South Africa is the ‘power of leadership’ in times of a national crises. Nelson Mandela’s leadership is not portrayed as flawless or perfect, but it is undeniably powerful in its singular focus on nation-building. 

His call for restraint in the face of overwhelming public anger reveals his strategic thinking and his deep understanding of the big picture. He had realized early on that responding with violence would have jeopardized South Africa’s delicate future, and, possibly, undone all the efforts toward creating a peaceful democracy. 

By focusing on reconciliation, he ensured that the country could move forward toward its first democratic elections, despite the anger and distrust that pervaded in the society.

In today’s global context, Malala’s work seems particularly resonant. He writes:  “I also wanted to write about the dangers of hate and extremism. The story of what happened in 1993 reminds us that we dare not forget the danger they posed then, and pose today, to our present and our collective future. They are on the rise now, in South Africa, the United States, Europe, across the globe. Where once they operated in the shadows, the forces of ‘illiberalism’ now sit in parliaments and in executive positions, pulling us to the extremes on any number of issues, from immigration to race, gender, health care, reproductive rights and so many others. The need for ethical, values-driven leadership such as that displayed by Mandela in that week has never been as urgent as it is today.” 

Finally, A Plot to Save South Africa is more than just a recounting of historical events—it is a reflection on the nature of leadership and the challenges of nation-building in extremely difficult and tiring times. Justice Malala has crafted a compelling narrative that not only engages readers with its suspenseful pacing, its twists and turns, but also offers profound lessons on leadership, peace, and the immense responsibility on the shoulders of those in power.

For anyone interested in South African history, conflict zones and resolutions, truth and reconciliation against violence and retribution, or, leadership studies, this book is an essential read. In a world where division and polarization often seem inevitable, this book stands as a powerful reminder of what visionary and wise leadership can truly achieve — against all odds, and in extremely difficult historical circumstances.

The Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation

By Justice Malala

Simon & Schuster

Price: Rs 599

Pg: 337

Aayushi Rana is Senior Fact-Checker and Researcher, Digital Forensics Research and Analytics Center (DFRAC), New Delhi.