The ANC's London Underground

It was a fun evening yesterday hosted by the Centre for Conflict Resolution to launch a book written by Ken Keable. Who is he? you might ask, as I myself did. It was the other speakers that attracted me - Ronnie Kasrils, Pallo Jordan and Aziz Pahad - all of them at times London-based struggle luminaries. Well, it turns out Ken Keable is a British working class Communist who played a role in our liberation! In the late 60's and early 70's when the activities of the ANC had been reduced to almost nothing in South Africa - the ANC leaders and activists were all in exile or in prison - about 30 young pink-pigmented left-wingers were recruited by Ronnie Kasrils into our very own International Brigade. Most of them came from the Young Communist league or were trade-unionists, or students at the London School of Economics. He even managed to recruit Trotskyists from the International Socialists!

Ronnie Kasrils

It was very much a Boys Own kind of evening - 60 and 70-year-old men regaling us with tales of adventure and derring-do, false-bottomed suitcases and leaflet bombs being tested on Hampstead Heath. It wasn't all youthful fun and games however - a couple of them were arrested, tortured and imprisoned. The whole story was a complete revelation to me. I can't wait to read the book. Its called: "London Recruits: The Secret War Against Apartheid."

Counsellor Number One

One of the programmes the SABC aired to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was Andrew Mars' 3-part film about her life. In it we discover that on a daily basis she receives government and parliamentary documents to read or sign, delivered to Reader Number One (that's her!) in a red leather briefcase. And every day she duly reads and sifts through them. We also get a glimpse of an extraordinary and unique arrangement - a weekly update and informal discussion that the Queen has with her current Prime Minister. We see her with David Cameron. The 2 armchairs are arranged at an angle so that they sit almost face-to face, mostly she listens, asks the odd question, and makes empathic responses to the items he seems to think might be problematic. It is completely confidential, apparently wide-ranging and private except for the presence of a corgi or two. I don't think she's supposed to give advice and most of the Ministers interviewed said that in all the time they met with her, she never ventured a personal opinion. However some of her Prime Ministers have said that she makes the odd helpful suggestion or is able to link someone with somebody or reflect on what happened on previous occasions in the past. Sound familiar? Basically, the Queen gives the PM a weekly counselling session!

Tony Blair said that at times of great responsibility or pressure, these weekly meetings were very helpful. David Cameron mentioned that it forces him to focus on what's important. Whatever you may think of the British monarchy, or the policies of the many Prime Ministers to whom she has duly listened, this sounds like such a wonderful way to support a world leader - every country should have a Counsellor Number One!