South Africa: Unexpected Visitor

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.