Original subtitles

You've come to this island to be forgotten, then to die.

All the major agitators are out of the picture now. That kaffir lover Ruth

will be leaving on an exit visa soon.

Timmy just had a baby daughter.

My children have grown up and I have not been there. There's new legislation

coming. The Terrorism Act will give us unlimited power. No!

No! No!

No! No! No!

They have made me strong.

They can never hurt me.

I'm off to work, but I'm with you in spirit.

Prime Minister, the central thrust of the act is simple. In township

All lessons and key subjects might be taught in Afrikaans.

More and more blacks are adopting English at an alarming rate.

If a native wishes to play a useful role in our culture, he must be able to

speak our language. Indeed.

But there is resistance.

Really? In what way?

Teachers threatening to strike, pupils refusing to attend classes.

Restless kids playing truant. That shouldn't strike fear into our hearts.

If you think about it in this way, children learning to speak Afrikaans is

bad idea.

I think knowledge is the answer to everything.

Not knowledge.

Understanding.

To understand one's opponent is a good thing.

Nothing is a good thing when it is forced upon you against your will.

Yes, yes.

This is also true.

She's home now, and she's a very strong woman who has been arrested,

interrogated, tortured because I love her, because I married her and chose

the path that led here, leaving her alone in the world with two young

So what department?

Yes, Queen Mandela. The protest in Soweto is out of control.

It's horrible. The police, they gave no warning.

They started firing.

Children and their kids, please, you must come.

Widespread rioting in Soweto following student protests this morning. Police

advising Soweto to stay indoors.

There are unconfirmed reports.

The death of 13 -year -old Hector Peterson has sparked days of increasing

violence.

Many of the dead are schoolchildren, whose protests at the imposition of

Afrikaans as the language of the classroom began what is now being called

Soweto Uprising.

Over 120 rioters have been killed so far.

What started as a peaceful protest descended into chaos and running street

battles with... They're kids, Oliver.

Kids!

And they're leading the charge.

I miss home.

But things are even worse now.

School kids.

Teachers, too.

All across the winter.

They have arrested a hundred.

The anger and defiance of this whole generation.

It's like a volcano, ready to erupt.

And if it does... The struggle is entering a new phase.

And the ANC must be prepared to embrace it.

This is deeply disturbing.

We control entire countries. We protect our borders from terrorists and

revolutionaries. Yet we can't stop a bunch of kids from causing absolute

They complain about their education.

Yet they burn the schools that we build for them. You can't apply logic to the

blacks. They don't see the buildings as their own. They see them as instruments

of apartheid.

We will look like idiots if we can't control a bunch of school children.

Not only in Soweto, right across South Africa.

Our country is on fire.

How do we stop this?

Let them feel they've won.

Tell them they don't have to learn Afrikaans.

We've got bigger problems than their hatred of our language.

We've become complacent.

We put away their leaders on an island and we thought that would be the end of

it. But they grew new leaders.

That Steve Biko and his black consciousness ideology stirring up the

We must be vigilant.

We must cut off those ringleaders.

I want them destroyed.

Starting with Steve Biko.

Thank you for coming today.

You are a loyal supporter of our cause.

You in fact.

Hello, Supreme Leader.

I want to introduce you to Steve Biko, a man of the future.

Mr. Biko, I have heard of you.

So tell me, what are your plans for the future?

Stay and see for yourself.

Black consciousness means pride in black culture, in being a black person.

Black consciousness does not need the approval, the cooperation, the support

white liberals.

Black consciousness needs only the belief in itself and in its absolute

to stand up and fight the oppressors.

Black consciousness leads to black power.

At the back, we have Winnie Mandela.

Winnie, please, come.

Big boy.

Steve Viggo's right.

Black consciousness is the route to freedom.

And our freedom is something we must claim ourselves.

We must break the chains of oppression ourselves.

Move over, Foster.

It is not you who will break us.

It is ourselves alone.

will break you.

for you, Mr. Beaker.

You are going to wish so much that you're with your friends on Robben

Turn your face back to me, cheeky bastard.

What do you want?

Pack your things.

You're being banished.

To Brantford.

Brantford? They're in the middle of nowhere!

Don't ask myself!

Who's going on about having your freedom?

Now you've got it.

Hey, hey, look at me.

Look at me.

They told us to keep you alive.

What's going on?

I don't know.

13 Western nations attended Biko's funeral.

Over 15 ,000 people were there.

This international interference in the affairs of our state is dangerous.

The President of the United States has publicly stated that America is going to

re -examine its relationship with us. What the hell does that even mean?

As if I haven't got enough on my plate already with this trumped -up

investigation into my personal finances.

And now there's Biko.

He fell and struck his head. Is that the best we could come up with? He fell and

struck his head.

I couldn't care for your dad, but who the hell was stupid enough to smash him

like that? What we have to do now is contain these agitators.

Unless we control this madness, we will end up being an oppressed minority in

our own country again.

We need to show the rest of the world we have things under control, and we are

going in the right direction.

I can't shake it.

What? This feeling.

Here I am in Mozambique, hundreds of miles away, yet I never feel safe.

Never feel they won't hunt me down, or you for that matter.

Shh, shh, shh.

You mustn't.

It's not enough to stop me writing or teaching or speaking out. It's an awful

choice. It's a god -awful price.

But you can't dwell on it. You couldn't get through the day.

You don't dwell about me, but you... I never know where you are from day to

Today you're here, yesterday you were in London, tomorrow you'll be back.

It's been fast.

Why couldn't we just be born content with... Are you expecting anyone?

Just Chris. I told him you'd arrived.

Chris, you look striking.

Ruth.

How are you?

I'll rush right over.

Comrade, you arrived safely.

Oh, sorry, I forgot to salute you.

Commander Chris Harney.

Thanks, thanks.

But how much must be paid to the leader we've just lost?

An inquest has been set up to investigate his murder.

Which they'll absolutely clear the police of any wrongdoing.

Before he was killed, Beaker reached out to Oliver to set up a meeting in

Botswana.

He's finally come to understand that our guerrilla fighters make the NCA a force

to be reckoned with.

Such a loss.

No one's helped such a way since Nelson.

Has there been any word from him?

Not recently.

But Oliver's called a meeting for the leadership in Ghana.

We must travel together.

You know, Ruth, your mailbox is so full, people are going to start thinking

you're the secretary of the ANC and the director of the university.

Well, if you want mail from people, Aquino, you have to be a better

correspondent.

more lives, my dear, before our liberation.

Sometimes it is hard to be, as you say,

no

matter

how wrong our calculations have been in the past.

No matter what difficulties we face in the future, our freedom

will be brought about by the strength of our organization

and by the shared determination of our people.

Mrs Mandela, you were forced from your home in Soweto. Now this interim place

where you were held in isolation has been burnt. Who do you think did this?

It is the South African government through their security branch.

Do you think it's possible they're responsible for the death of Ruth first?

Anything is possible with a morally corrupt government. That does not value

human life.

And are you going to keep on struggling?

The struggle goes on.

There's never been a doubt about that.

And when the struggle's over, who's going to lead the people?

Mandela. Mandela.

I wonder which Mandela she means.

She doesn't say Nelson Mandela, just Mandela.

Something has got to be done to stop her. The people love her, Joe.

She has been dear friends with my wife since she was a young girl. She says and

does whatever she wants, Oliver.

She's uncontrollable.

Ruth would have kicked you for talking about a woman like that.

What I wouldn't give to have a good old argument with Reese about that.

I'm sorry, Joe.

I've just been with her.

If only I'd told her.

So much.

How are you supposed to know?

None of us could have known.

At least it was quick.

At the very least, we need to set up a crisis committee to deal with Winnie.

I don't handle her without burdening Nelson.

Yes, of course.

I'm told that upon my release for six months, I'll be living under house

in Durban.

Durban? That's close to where Winnie is.

Any message to her?

Oh, she knows it. But tell her anyway that I think of her constantly.

And eat some good food for me.

After 12 years being here with you chaps, even a cup of cold tea and a tea

biscuit will taste like food for a king.

We'll be drinking English tea with Oliver in London as soon as the ANC can

arrange it.

I'll slip out of the country as soon as possible.

Take all of your messages with me.

Yes, the priority now is international pressure, economic sanctions.

Make sure that Oliver knows that we are in total accord.

Last week, Angola raising funds for arms. Now a royal summit.

Oliver, I think you look better in army fatigues. More than a day's work.

Chief, you're too lazy.

Oliver.

Joe, you look well.

You too. Your contention is as big as an army.

But only the ANC can afford a military wing. We sleep on mats in the rain.

Nothing quite as princely as this.

Please, sit.

My agreement with the South African government has no underlying economic

advantage.

Leading a self -governing Zulu state is in the best interest of my people.

And to some, self -serving.

Establishing separate nations.

inside of a bigger nation has never been the goal of the ANC, but our mutual

goal of polishing apart.

Now, that has always been my saying.

At home, Inkatha is strong.

Now, we can continue to lead the movement internally, and the ANC can

the movement externally, internationally.

We will fight from wherever we are with whatever we've got.

You have asked for our blessing for greater recognition in the international

community. It is impossible if we are at odds.

Henceforth, the unity of the ANZ Enigata shall never be questioned. I will

continue to call for the release of all political prisoners and the unbanning of

political organizations in Hegla.

To the world, our legions and priorities must remain unambiguously aligned.

The ANZ Enigata.

will move forward on opposing apartheid as a unified front.

I give you my word.

Unifying us will ensure the prosperity of this new nation.

And self -rule, more importantly, for the greater good of all of South Africa.

That's nice. Thank you.

Unbelievable. He agreed to align himself with the ANC and now he's opposing

international sanctions.

The government is aware that Boutelizi gives them credibility.

They're using him, reinforcing a perception that Inkatha is the only

black party of South Africa.

In the interest of both sides, Inkatha and the homeland survive on government

subsidies. The powerful Zulu chieftain and the leader of the influential

Freedom Party said, I urge my friends in South Africa to renounce violence.

I urge my friends in the rest of the world not to impose economic sanctions

South Africa. The message sent from Robben Island is that international

is more important than the arms struggle.

Only pressure from the outside can bring this to a head.

We need to shift the world's perception that the ANC leads black South Africa.

ANC must be the voice the world listens to.

The government offered Nelson his freedom if he agreed to live in one of

homelands. Let's put a lessee and stay out of politics.

Nelson refused.

It's a great story if you think about it.

Only a true leader would sacrifice his own freedom for his people.

I've been thinking about this for quite some time.

Now more than ever, the world needs a symbol to rally around for our cause.

Freeing Nelson Mandela could be that symbol for the freedom of all of South

Africa. It's brilliant. We could do something like...

Release Nelson Mandela now.

Free.

Prime Minister John Forster has resigned.

Thank you, Warden Brent.

The PM resigns after 12 years in the top job.

Alleged misuse of public funds.

Security Minister Vandenberg also implicated.

Who is next in line?

The Minister of Defence, Peter Villambota.

The economic situation is not improving, Corby.

I've just been told that a major international bank is threatening to

support unless we engage with black leadership.

They want us to negotiate with them.

Pray to God it doesn't come to that.

Prime Minister, to that end, I've given the serious thought.

We've played our hand with Buttigieg long enough.

We have no other choice but to be pragmatic.

Nelson Mandela.

This from a top psychologist.

Mandela is exceptionally motivated. He has an extraordinarily powerful memory,

maintains outstanding personal relations, is always friendly and

towards authority figures.

This is the leader of a violent organization that has committed acts of

against us, waged an armed struggle.

Eighteen years in prison can change a man.

Perhaps now the idea of power sharing might appeal to him.

He is the symbol of a movement that none of us could have foreseen. Every day we

delay dealing with him, the pressure against our system mounts.

Perhaps we could transfer him off Robben Island to say, pause my prison.

Conduct meetings with him in utmost secrecy.

Boom. Boom.

Best of all, you get your own toilet.

Good morning, Nelson.

How are you today?

I am fine, Warder Brent. I didn't realize having extra space would take so

getting used to.

Well, don't get too comfortable.

Orders have just come in to transport you to an important meeting today.

Mr.

Mandela.

Welcome, Mr. Mandela.

Welcome to my home. Thank you.

And forgive me while I catch my breath.

This is the first vista I have seen without a hint of steel or barbed wire

quite some time.

Take as long as you want. I want you to be comfortable here.

I trust your conditions at Portsmouth are more acceptable.

I would scarcely call any condition short of freedom acceptable, Mr.

Well, that's what we're here to talk about.

And please call me Quibi.

I've studied your name.

Nelson...

The convener of dialogue.

Yes, it is the name that was given to me at my initiation into manhood, although

it is you who started this conversation.

Well, for starters, may I please call you Nelson? Yes, if it makes you

comfortable. Thank you.

I felt it necessary for us to sit down together and start negotiating about the

path forward.

Well, it is...

Very difficult for us to begin negotiating if our organization is still

bars. What shall we call what we are doing right now?

We are merely talking, and it is my own personal view that we begin a

discussion. But you must understand that I am not the president of the ANC. Our

leader is Oliver Tambo.

If the blacks kill each other...

They will forget all about fighting us.

General, are you suggesting we provide military training for Inkata members?

Merely to defend themselves.

Let the Inkata Zulus return to their warring nature.

If the blacks turn on each other, moving forward towards a unified democracy

will be a moot point.

I will make sure there is no connection back to our military.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Take that thing off.

this government with AK -47s.

Because we haven't got any.

We have stones.

We have boxes of matches.

We have got these hands.

Our power.

The people's power.

We shall dismantle apartheid.

To hell with water regime.

Collaboration. No,

no, please.

The committee cannot control her.

She will not listen to anyone.

And now they say she's holding hostages in her home.

She continues to speak out about whatever she likes in public.

We have tried to protect Nelson from this so that he can concentrate on other

matters. But we have no choice.

He must be the one to deal with this crisis.

We must tell him everything we know.

We see word.

Nelson already knows.

The extent of the accusations?

We're hearing rumors that Nelson's negotiating with the government, which

one hand a good thing.

On the other hand, it's going to raise questions with some people about

he may be making. Stop.

No more.

We'll not listen to any more talk about Nelson selling out.

There's no talk of that coming from me.

I'm certain that Nelson is unwavering. He will always uphold the ANC's mandate.

We have to maintain the higher moral ground.

Calm down, Oliver.

Sit down.

Okay.

You're working yourself to death.

Every day it is something else.

My mind is pulled in a dozen different directions.

Do you think the leadership in exile is concerned about these private talks that

I am selling out?

Oliver could never think that you would sell out.

Hmm.

We have not seen Oliver in nearly a quarter century.

I don't rock the government with this prison move.

They're trying to divide and weaken us.

Yes, of course, you're right.

But I do believe that the time has finally come.

They have finally accepted that they have to talk to us. It's not the perfect

situation, but how can I walk away from such an opportunity?

I won't stand in your way.

I trust that you know what you are doing.

Actually, I am more concerned about how to handle the delicacy of my domestic

situation.

I have had too many things.

Secondhand, of course.

rumors about her.

The necklacing, kidnappings of so -called traitors, the gangs of

thugs that she commands.

What else have you heard?

Nothing for sure.

And I pray that there are only rumors.

She is my wife, Walter.

My wife.

A political person, a good person.

There will always be those forces that want to tarnish her.

Already they have done so much to try and destroy her.

Yes.

We must get word to the ANC to find out the truth about this.

I have had a certain amount of peace and protection here.

She has had none of that.

No further military action.

I am not prepared to lead white South Africans on the road to abdication and

suicide. I agree. There's no answer in trying to fight it out. I am committed

peaceful negotiation.

So we will press ahead with more apartheid reforms then? In that

We have crossed the Rubicon. There can be no turning back.

And what about Mandela? If he gives a commitment to non -violence, I will

release him.

He has already rejected that offer, sir. Then you must reconsider.

We will wear him down.

Move him to even more comfortable surroundings.

Give him more and more of a taste of freedom.

Get him to understand there is no way I will unban the ANC.

The ball is in his court.

Well, I'm glad they let me take you today.

Tomorrow's the public holiday.

Ah, yes, the day of the covenant, your day of thanksgiving to God.

27 years ago, we began the armed struggle.

27 years.

Well, Nelson, let me take your box without the back, and then it's goodbye

me. I've got to get back to Polesmoor. You know, Waterbrand, you always behaved

correctly toward me.

It is waters like you, men like you.

that have validated my belief in humanity all these years behind bars.

Thank you.

Let me get those boxes.

I want to work with the Congress to advance America's policy towards South

Africa. Leading Democrats will introduce amendments calling for total

disinvestment in South Africa.

Exxon joins Coca -Cola, Kodak, Revlon and others to become the 87th company to

leave in two years.

And as we decided we could not do business with Hitler, we must now decide

we cannot do business with South Africa. We can't afford to keep our economy

afloat. We are near bankrupt.

Our airstrikes against the neighbouring states have further increased our debt.

The interest of eliminating unsolicited interference in South African affairs.

Now, Chase Manhattan is refusing to roll over our debt.

This morning, I tried reaching out to the president of the Federal Reserve,

the rent is falling.

Our imports are being curbed.

Even the committee appointed by Buerta had no viable solutions to offer.

I will assemble as many of the ministers as possible for an emergency session at

my house in Pretoria.

We have to present a united front when we approach him.

If we do not compromise now, Buck, disaster is inevitable.

Are you now beginning to quote the words of Nelson Mandela?

Thank you.

It pains me to ask you this.

But are any of the things that you are accused of true?

It is propaganda.

You should know better than anyone not to believe everything you read in the

paper. That is not what I asked you.

You must disband the football club.

The football club looks after me.

They keep me safe. They must go.

But darling, there is a Walter Sisulu football club.

Why can't we have a Mandela United football club? The Walter Huloo football

does not have members who are terrorizing the community, who are

thugs.

The Mandela United football club has members who are accused of murder. That

nonsense.

I will let the boys go if they want to. Get rid of them. I have spoken on it

now.

I do not want to hear any more about any of these things.

It is quiet in this garden of yours.

But out there, there is war.

Then behave like a soldier.

You must be disciplined and learn to follow your leader.

You forget.

I'm a leader too now.

You have the arrogance to come and tell me, after 53 years of service to the

National Party, pack your bags and go and sit in the wilderness.

What you fail to grasp is that economics and politics cannot be separated.

How long do you expect us to carry on? Two, three years?

We are being strangled by these sanctions.

And if the strikes and the violence continues, there will be a full -scale

bloody revolution.

The cabinet is unanimous on this.

We want you to retire willingly.

Don't be mistaken.

It is only our might that keeps the lid on this pressure cooker that is South

Africa.

Take off the lid and you will have Armageddon.

The problem is most of the party believes we're dealing with Armageddon

If we do not change course, the blood will flow ankle deep in our streets.

Four or five million people will lie dead and the situation will remain

the same as it always was.

We need to address the problem now, before we have an all -out race war.

I feel sorry for all of you.

You will not be able to control the forces you unleash.

Can you believe it? Both are gone.

What is it?

Oliver had a throat.

They have rushed him to Europe for treatment, but it's bad.

It seems he is paralyzed down the whole right -hand side of his body.

And it seems he cannot speak.