Revelations from a CIA operative indicate that the American spy agency was behind the arrest of Nelson Mandela in 1962. Mandela was perceived to be a risk to the US due to alleged ties with the Soviet Union.
Image: Reuters
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A report from the weekend in Britain's "The Sunday Times" newspaper carried excerpts of an interview with Donald Rickard, a former CIA operative in South Africa, taken from a documentary film by John Irvin.
Rickard, who had worked as a US diplomat in South Africa, said Mandela was "totally under the control of the Soviet Union" in the early 1960s.
"He could have incited a war in South Africa, the United States would have to get involved, grudgingly, and things could have gone to hell," Rickard said. "We were teetering on the brink here and it had to be stopped, which meant Mandela had to be stopped. And I put a stop to it."
Mandela's release marked the end of apartheid
Mandela was a co-founder of the Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation"), an armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC campaigned, sometimes violently, against South Africa's apartheid regime in the early 1960s. Mandela was known for giving authorities seeking his arrest the slip, but in 1962 - apparently acting on a tip from Rickard and the CIA - he was found near Durban and arrested.
He was imprisoned until 1990, and his release marked the end of apartheid. Mandela went on to serve as South Africa's first black president from 1994-1999.
Despite being elected president, Mandela and other members of the ANC officially remained on terror watch lists in the US. Mandela's name was finally removed in 2008.
Mandela spent 27 years in prisonImage: picture-alliance/dpa
"Mandela's Gun" scheduled to debut in Cannes this week
Irvin's film, "Mandela's Gun," addresses the months prior to Mandela's arrest and the armed resistance of the ANC under Mandela at the time. The film is scheduled to debut at the Cannes Film Festival this week.
The CIA has not commented on Rickard's statements, and Rickard died just a few weeks after giving the interview in March.
A spokesperson for the ANC told the AFP news agency that the claims were a "serious indictment," and that "[they] always knew there was always a collaboration between some Western countries and the apartheid regime."
Zizi Kodwa also maintained that the CIA has continued to work together with people in South Africa seeking regime change. The government is currently led by the ANC.
Nelson Mandela - the voice of freedom
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's grandfather and anti-apartheid icon has died. One of the best-known political prisoners of his generation, he later became South Africa's first black president.
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Goodbye, Nelson Mandela
Most South Africans will remember Nelson Mandela with a smile. They fondly called him by his clan name "Madiba." More than anyone else, he shaped the history of the "new South Africa." After spending almost three decades in prison, he became the first elected black president in 1994.
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First black law practice co-founder
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. After he finished school, he decided to study law. As a student he was politically active, fighting against apartheid. In 1952, he opened the first black law practice with Oliver Tambo in Johannesburg.
Image: AP
Apartheid
Apartheid - the strict segregation of black and white people - greatly affected Mandela's childhood and youth.
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Mandela the boxer
At a young age, Mandela was a passionate boxer. "In the boxing ring, status, age, skin color and wealth don't matter," he said about his favorite sport. He kept fit even when imprisoned: as part of his daily routine, he lifted weights, did squats and push-ups.
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Sentenced to life in prison
1964: Police forces push back people gathered in front of the court house where the trial against Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists is taking place. In the so-called Rivonia trial, Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment because of his political actions.
Image: AP
Decades in prison
Mandela spent 18 years in a five square meter prison cell on Robben Island. He was given the identification number 46664. "I was only known as a number," Mandela said after his release.
Image: cc-by-sa- Paul Mannix
The fight continues
While Mandela was behind bars, the fight against apartheid continued. His then wife, Winnie Mandela (center), became a leading figure in the fight against the white minority government.
Image: AP
The world takes an interest...
…in South Africa's fate. A charity concert for Nelson Mandela was held in London's Wembley Stadium in 1988. Internationally renowned musicians celebrated his 70th birthday and spoke out against apartheid. Some 70,000 people watched the concert which lasted 10 hours. It was broadcast in over 60 countries.
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Freedom, finally
On February 11, 1990 - after 27 years - Mandela was released from prison. This photo shows him and then wife Winnie raising their fists to show their pride in the blacks' fight against the white apartheid regime.
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Back to politics
In May 1990, Mandela returned to the helm of the African National Congress (ANC) and led talks with then-President Frederik Willem de Klerk (left). The talks make way for a South Africa without apartheid. In 1993, he and de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Price.
Image: Walter Dhladhla/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela's allies
Oliver Tambo (left) and Walter Sisulu (right) were among Mandela's closest allies. Together, they founded the ANC Youth League in 1944 and organized mass demonstrations against the apartheid regime. Sisulu was sentenced to life imprisonment; Tambo spent 30 years in exile. After 1990, they all held leadership positions within the ANC.
Image: AP
South Africa's first black president
May 10, 1994 has gone down in history. After the first free democratic elections were held in April, Mandela was sworn in as the country's first black president. He remained in office until 1999, succeeded by his protege Thabo Mbeki.
Image: AP
Reconciliation not revenge
In 1996, Mandela set up the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to help deal with the crimes committed during apartheid. South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu headed the TRC. The Commission's work was criticized by many victims who could not accept that those who committed crimes and publicly admitted their guilt, were not puníshed.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
World Cup preparations
On May 15, 2004 it was announced South Africa would be the host nation for the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Here, Mandela proudly holds the cup. The whole country was ecstatic and celebrated as Mandela had helped pave the way for South Africa to host this major sporting event. It was first World Cup on the African continent.
Image: AP
Has the rainbow nation failed?
In 2008, xenophobia and violence erupted in many slums of major cities. Numerous immigrants died. The question was asked: Is this still the "rainbow nation" founded by Mandela where everyone lives together in harmony? Has the rainbow nation failed?
Image: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images
Mandela's last years
During the last years of his life, Mandela retired from public life to spend more time with his family. Here he is seen celebrating his 93th birthday with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
