Description:
Jan von Mehren interviews Aggrey Mbere, a member of the African National Congress about apartheid in South Africa. Mbere left South Africa thirty-five years ago and currently teaches history at Roxbury Community College. He says that the South African government has realized that it must accommodate the opinions of black South Africans. Mbere talks about Nelson Mandela and his own desire to return to South Africa in the future. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Christy George interviews Gabu Tugwana by telephone
1:00:04: Visual: Shots of Aggrey Mbere (African National Congress) teaching a history class at Roxbury Community College. Shots of students in the class. Jan von Mehren reports that Mbere teaches world history at Roxbury Community College. Von Mehren reports that Mbere keeps up on events in his native South Africa. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that the structure of white supremacy is still intact in South Africa. Von Mehren reports that Mbere was born in Johannesberg; that Mbere joined the African National Congress (ANC) when he was 22 years old; that Mbere left the country a few years later. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that he has been away from South Africa for thirty-five years; that he becomes nostalgic for his country sometimes. Mbere says that he would like to return some day. Von Mehren notes that Mbere believes that the lifting of the ban on the ANC was inevitable. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that the South African government has realized that it must accomodate African opinion. Mbere speculates as to whether the situation in South Africa has been influenced by the democracy movement in Eastern Europe. Von Mehren reports that Mbere has been inspired by the example of Nelson Mandela (jailed ANC leader). V: Shot of a poster of Mandela on the wall. Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that Mandela is indefatigable; that Mandela has fulfilled his mission as leader of a people. Footage of Mbere and his students in class at Roxbury Community College. Von Mehren reports that Mbere is fairly confident about returning to South Africa; that Mbere is apprehensive about his return. V: Shot of Mbere and Von Mehren walking in a corridor. Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that he still has many strong feelings about South Africa; that he must come to a clear understanding about the situation before returning.
Date Created:
02/02/1990
