Insurgent diplomat
Subtitle: a civil talks or civil war?
By: Aziz Pahad
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Johannesburg, South Africa
Language: eng
Number of pages: 270
ISBN-13: 9780143538851; 9780143531340
Subjects: Negotiation; Politics and government; Exiles; Peace movements; Convention for a Democratic South Africa; African National Congress; Anti-apartheid Movement; Politicians; Biography; History
Description: "Long before the official negotiations to end apartheid, there were secret discussions that paved the way for dialogue between the African National Congress and the South African government. Aziz Pahad played a key role in these discussions,  and in this book he provides the first account of them from the ANC's  perspective. Pahad recounts his early years in South Africa, which informed his political ideology,  as well as his time in exile in London. He gives insights into the leadership of inspirational figures,  such as Yusuf Dadoo, Oliver Tambo and Thabo Mbeki,  and describes the central role played by the ANC in rescuing the country from the brink of disaster. There are also important lessons for governments still resorting to military aggression to resolve conflicts by showing that honesty, mutual understanding and compromise are essential to bringing an end to instability."  -- Publisher: http://penguin.bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/09/29/presenting-aziz-pahads-moving-memoir-insurgent-diplomat-civil-talks-or-civil-war/
Table of contents: title: The early years; title: The exile years; title: The changing dynamics of struggle; title: Intensifying the struggle and the crisis of apartheid; title: The Commonwealth and strategic engagement; title: The ANC's dialogue with white constituencies; title: Secret talks in the UK - laying the groundwork; title: Secret talks in the UK - towards negotiations; title: The secret Mandela talks and other covert meetings; title: 'Coming home' and crossing the final hurdles; title: Postscript; title: Acronyms.