The South African Minister for Transport and ANC talks negotiator, Mr Mac Maharag, spoke about the development of the African National Congress to a crowded GAA Hall in Crossmaglen last night. He stressed the need to be united in any struggle. The huge turnout listened intently and applauded Mr Maharag's call for reason over emotion.
Mr Maharag, who is in Ireland with colleagues as guests of Sinn Fein, said a rumour was going about in 1989 that Mr Nelson Mandela had sold out to the white government - that he was wearing a three-piece suit and drinking wine in prison.
Mr Mandela had issued a letter from prison and many ANC people misread it, not out of mischief but because of uncertainty and rumour. Mr Maharag said they thought anyone who was talking to the enemy had to be selling out.
In his letter to Mr Botha, Mr Mandela was appealing for talks, seeking equal rights for all South Africans irrespective of colour. But Mr Mandela also realised the importance of understanding the fears and worries of the whites.
Mr Maharag said change of strategy leads to uncertainty and because the negotiating team was drinking tea and eating cakes their comrades felt they were selling out.
Referring to the Northern Ireland situation, he said whatever comes out is not going to be the solution that is desired. "There will be give and gain on every side," he said. In the South African negotiations, 19 political parties were at the talks. What emerged had to be scrutinised with cool heads and a clear eye.
Here Mr Maharag drew a comparison with footballers who have to keep their eye on the ball and he said that the people who were in the soccer hall would know what he meant. He was quickly told that it was a GAA club and not a soccer club.
He strongly advised people not to let fine detail hold them back. He believed Sinn Fein was looking at the larger picture and he hoped it would be to their benefit.
Right through the South African talks he stressed that Mr Mandela concentrated on the wider picture and left the detail to the negotiating teams, he said. "Keep your eye on the larger issues" he added.
Mr Maharag said he appreciated that it was only natural that people are afraid of change. "It is much easier for me to speak as a hothead. The real test was when it was to cool tempers," and it was here, he said, that the toughest people emerged.
He repeatedly stressed that reason had to prevail over emotion. He said he would speak exactly the same way to unionists. "Never allow yourselves to make a choice of strategy that causes disunity," he said.