10 O'Clock News | [Interview with Gabu Tugwana, part 2]

Meg Vaillancourt interviews Gabu Tugwana by telephone

[Interview with Gabu Tugwana, part 2]
Original Airdate: 2/12/1990

Length: 00:03:37
Item Type: newstape - edited story master

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Full Description

1:00:07
Visual: Shot of Meg Vaillancourt dialing a phone in the WGBH studio.

Vaillancourt reports that she is calling Gabu Tugwana (editor, The New Nation) at his home in the Soweto Township in South Africa. Vaillancourt notes that Tugwana is an anti-apartheid activist. Vaillancourt adds that Tugwana described the euphoric reaction to the arrival of Nelson Mandela (jailed black South African leader) in Johannesburg today.

V: Shot of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela (wife of Nelson Mandela) greeting people on an airport runway after exiting an airplane. Shots of black South Africans running and celebrating in the streets; of black South Africans singing and dancing in the streets. Audio of Tugwana saying that people of all colors were running and celebrating in the streets; that people were carrying flags. Tugwana says that there is "new life" in people.

Vaillancourt reports that Mandela's release from prison has been accompanied by violence; that approximately 30 black South Africans have been killed in 24 hours of political unrest. Vaillancourt reports that Tugwana believes that the violence is being encouraged by right-wing extremists.

V: Shots of South African Security Force officers firing weapons in the streets; of black South Africans running from the Security Force. Shot of the body of a black South African man lying in a grassy field. Shot of Vaillancourt speaking to Tugwana on the telephone. Vaillancourt takes notes. Audio of Tugwana saying that right-wing South Africans have promised bloodshed. Tugwana says that black South African leaders have called for people to behave with discipline. Tugwana says that black South African leaders do not want to play into the hands of the right wing. Vaillancourt asks if there are concerns for Mandela's safety. Audio of Tugwana saying that there is great concern for Mandela's safety; that he will say nothing about the precautions taken to keep Mandela safe. Shots of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (black South African leader) standing with Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela. Close-up shot of the clasped hands of Tutu and Mandela. Shots of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela and Tutu with supporters; of Tutu giving a blessing; of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela in the back seat of a car. The car drives away.

Vaillancourt reports that safety concerns have caused Mandela to postpone his return to his home in Soweto. Vaillancourt notes that Mandela was not released from prison earlier because he refused to renounce violence; that Mandela has pledged to disobey the laws of apartheid.

V: Footage of Vaillancourt speaking on the telephone with Tugwana. Vaillancourt asks how Mandela will assure white South Africans. Audio of Tugwana saying that white South Africans will be reassured once they have heard the leaders of the African National Congress speak. Tugwana says that most will be convinced that the future is bright. Tugwana says that all South Africans must work to communicate with one another; that misconceptions must be cleared up. Shot of Nelson Mandela standing alone. He raises his fist for the cameras. Shot of Vaillancourt speaking on the telephone. Vaillancourt notes that Mandela called F.W. de Klerk (President of South Africa) "a man of integrity." Vaillancourt asks about popular opinion of de Klerk. Shot of de Klerk addressing government officials in a governmental chamber. Tugwana says that de Klerk is a man of courage; that de Klerk is not acting out of goodwill. Shots of white students exiting the gates of the Johannesburg High School for girls; of black schoolchildren crossing a street; of white and black South Africans on a commercial street. Shot of Nelson and Winnie Mandela marching at the head of a group of black South Africans.

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