Interesting remark about the turn for better in So Africa

[truedelphi]

My husband's book company Seth Returns Publishing has gotten
some interest in the country of So Africa.

Early this morning, I needed to make a business call to one of
the book distributers there.

I mentioned while discussing business odds and ends what a horrible ordeal
the current regime is causing for Most Americans.

To make a point, I said something to the effect that few of us wanted the
current policies employed by the Administration in power, and that
most of us were going slightly nuts from having to endure all this.

I aded, "Maybe youknow what I mean - your country has been through so much..."

Her reply intrigues me. "Oh but Carol, there was a sudden turning point,
and it wasn't from any one event or happening or the end results of any
actions, it was just like a shift from above, like a blessing or a
showering of light."

Her voice brightened as she spoke these words. We went back to talking business.
And then when we signed off she said, "I hope you'll see the turning point."

Do any of you have a take on this?

[NEDem]

1. I lived in SA in the mid 80's.

I kept in touch with a few people over there after I left and I remember a couple of them saying something similar. They said that it was as if the whole country woke up one morning and said "Fuck it" and realised that a totalitarian gov't wasn't worth it. I think the decision to free Mandela was the final straw.

[knowbody0]

3. can I ask how old you were then?

what a wonderful experience

[NEDem]

4. I was a teenager,

I went to all of high school over there. It was one of those things that fundamentally shaped the way I look at life.

[truedelphi]

6. Can you describe how the freeing of Mandela

Came about... Was it the prime minister or head of So Africa that
freed him?

One thing I have read about is how the prison cell that he spent so many years in
is now a tourist shrine - people from all over the world coming to touch the
rocks and stones that enclosed this heroic man

[NEDem]

7. Mandela was rumored to be very ill

I think it was TB. Things were spiraling out of control in the townships and the country was slowly coming apart at the seems. During this illness I think the PM (DeKlerk I believe) realized that if Mandela died in prison they'd have a huge Martyr problem, bigger than Steven Biko, so they started working behind the scenes for his release. I think it was something like 2 months from when the decision was made to the actual release.

[truedelphi]

8. I'm impressed with the synchronicity that one of the

few people on DU that lived in So Africa came on
around the time I posted the topic and made these
pertinent remarks.

there are no coincidences

[NEDem]

9. The internet is a beautiful thing

[knowbody0]

2. thanks for sharing this inspiration

Let that turning point be Keith's speech!

[NEDem]

5. Lets hope so.

[truedelphi]

10. But the deal is that we all have to

Make ourselves part of the deal - That sub-consciously
or super-consciously we all are realizing what
brightness needs to come along to vaporize the dark

I adore KO but isn't it all about our collective energy rather
than one person being eloquent?

[knowbody0]

11. Indeed

KO inspires, it is up to us to gather and proceed

peace