As the entourage made its way around the country’s largest black township, young men cried, “Viva, comrade!” and children shouted, “Welcome!” Greetings for African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela? No. Last week crowds in Soweto (pop. 2 million) were showing appreciation for a white politician. President F.W. de Klerk took an unannounced tour of Soweto following weeks of violence involving rival black factions and security forces. Blacks cheered De Klerk, explained Agnes Molahlehi, 25, a nursing student, because he freed Mandela and has taken steps to abolish apartheid.
But the violence shows no sign of abating. Later in the week, two black gunmen opened fire at a Johannesburg train station, killing five blacks.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
Contact us at letters@time.com