Sir, - Stephen Nestor's comments (September 2nd) following Patrick Laurence's article of August 15th raise some disturbing issues. There are indeed some uncomfortable truths in South Africa today, but none of these should be interpreted as justification or rationalisation of the past regime. ("Dare one say in hindsight that the old order was right, or at least that it was not entirely wrong?" asks Nestor.)
Under no circumstances can a systematic regime of repression against the majority of the population be justified or condoned. The current crisis in South Africa should not be understated, nor should South Africa's current government be allowed to hide its mistakes, witting or otherwise, behind the skirts of the "colonial oppressor". However, South Africa needs to be allowed to find its own level, a complex process for any new government, not least one which for the first time in the country's history is operating as a democracy. Instead of attempting to justify the previous regime by pointing to the apparent pristine cleanliness of its governing class (a myth even in this respect), it would be far more constructive if competent observers were to seek solutions to the real problems the country had in emerging from the horrors of apartheid.
Mr Nestor may believe Nelson Mandela has lost credibility with his own people and with the world, but the evidence is non-existent. What is abundantly evident in the tone of Mr Nestor's letter is European colonial schadenfreude. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission brought to public notice the sheer venality of the evil of apartheid, and it is an offence against the memory of all the innocent people tortured and assassinated by the apartheid regime even to suggest that "they may have been right". - Yours, etc., John M. Mulcahy,
Portsalon, Co Donegal.