South Africa Meeting of Different Minds

Plagued by feuding colleagues, Mandela confers with De Klerk

From his prison quarters in South Africa's wine-producing region near Paarl, Nelson Mandela has been conducting a quiet diplomatic campaign. Last July he accepted an invitation from his adversary, former President P.W. Botha, for a historic face-to-face meeting. Mandela has since received a series of visitors at the Victor Verster Prison Farm, where he is serving his 26th year of a life sentence for plotting to overthrow white rule. Most of his powwows have been with leaders of rival antigovernment groups. But last week Mandela, 71, a leader of the banned African National Congress (A.N.C.), traveled under escort 30 miles to...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!