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The Fatima Meer Chat

Few questions -- from the condition of South Africa's Indian community to the making of the Mahatma (she worked on the script for Shyam Benegal's film of the same name) -- passed Dr Meer by as she provided deep insights into the new South Africa and its leader Nelson Mandela, an old friend whose biography she has authored.

She stunned those following the fortunes of Hansie Cronje and Co in India, when she declared that this was not the real South African cricket team. And, finally, she responded to persistent questions on her friend Winnie Mandela, whom, not surprisingly, she defended.

Fascinating fare.

Nikhil Lakshman (Thu Nov 14 20:26:44 1996 IST):

Dr Meer, Welcome to the Rediff Chat. It is an honour having you with us this evening. Many thanks for accepting our invitation. We do hope you will enjoy the experience.

Dr Meer, Welcome to the Rediff Chat. It is an honour having you with us this evening. Many thanks for accepting our invitation. We do hope you will enjoy the experience.

hi everyone

Hi nikhil!

Good evening, Dr Fatima Meer. What is your prognosis for South Africa? Will this racially divided nation ever be united? Has your friend Dr Mandela failed in his political mission?

Dr Meer: I'm most curious. Why did Mr Mandela select you to write his official biography?

Thank you for your kind invitation. This is a novel experience for me

Hi nikhil! FOLKS IT S PROFESSOR MEER and not DR!

Good afternnon Dr Meer...it is a pleaasure to meet u once again..how are u today ..I hope you aare fine after all those sweetmeats you tasted for us at the sweetmeat competition on Friday

Saanya, President Mandeal did not choose me, he was in prison at the time. Writing anything about him was illegal...

Professor Meer,what an honour to speak with you! Madam, what about our Indian community in South Africa? I believe the blacks hate us, and will get back at us in due course. Is this correct?

...People did not know much about him, particularly the youth (in the 1980's). So I wrote his biography and he was very happy about it

Professor Meer, thank you for agreeing to speak to us this evening. What I would like to know from you is your vision for post-Mandela South Africa. I think most people are agreed that as long as he is at the wheel of governance, there is little chance of chaos and upheaval. Even the good Chief Buthelezi will be kept in check. But can his heirs keep the peace in what is already the world's most brutal society?

Hello Niyanta. I am fine, besides for the sugar in my blood going up a bit

Ms Meer: If given a choice whom will you say is a great leader? Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela?

Dr MEER: do yoou have any plans for a new book

How close are you to Dr Mandela? Do you and your husband still go over to his home? Or is the great man distant?

Folks, we are very grateful to Mr Iqbal Meer Sharma of Compukids, a computer literacy training centre for both kids and adults. Compukids is a South African franchise developed by Meer Sharma & Associates - Management Consultants, based in Durban. This Chat has only been possible because of Mr Meer-Sharma, who made available his Internet facility. We think he deserves all our applause.

Mr Sharma: The Indian community is prospering. I don't think the Blacks hate us. The Africans, as we call them - because we Indians are also black, have many problems and we are working together to solve them

Ms Meer: If given a choice whom will you say is a great leader? Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela?

Prf Meer: You mentioned earlier about Indians having problems , could you talk about them as well as the ways in which you are working to solve them?

I read once that Mandela is the loneliest of men. He apparently cares a great deal about his security staff, but does not know their names. As someone who knew him before he went to prison, how much do you think those 27 years changed him? Why is he so bereft of anger?

Long Live, Mr Iqbal Meer Sharma!!!!!!!!!! .) .) .) .)

You have studied Gandhi. You know Mandela. In what way are the two men alike and in what way are the two men different?

Alexander: It is a false impression that Mandela alone is keeping our society in order. There are many players, and as we assure different parties their rightful place, and secure resources for our people we should have no fears about the future (apart from the usual facing all nations)

Thank you, Dr Meer!

And, by the way, I do not agree with your response. I think you are sweeping the antagonism of the Blacks under the carpet. ANC style!

THanku Compukids!!!

Prf Meer: You mentioned earlier about Indians having problems , could you talk about them as well as the ways in which you are working to solve them?

Alexander: Incidentally, the rate of "brutality" is dropping significantly

Thank you, Dr Meer, but without Mandela's stature, his appeal to all sections of South African society, nothing would be possible. Do I detect a resentment against Dr Mandela?

Dr Fatima Meer: I do not know exactly about the situation in South Africa. But can you tell me, has Nelson Mandela able to improve the situation in South Africa compared to the white rule? If yes, can you explain?

Dr Meer: What is life like for the ordinary man in SA? How has it changed since Mandela took ove as president?

Mr Sharma: If I experienced any stress, I would certainly confide it to you

Could you spell out how the rate of brutality is falling in a society which has a higher murder rate than the US?

Dr Fatima Meer: Are you a Shiah Muslim by any chance?

Also: If writing against him was illegal, how did you get permission to do the book and visit him in prison?

What is going to happen to South Africa after Nelson Mandela?

How often do you see Mandela?

Is it true that The Making of the Mahatma, the film you worked on for Shyam Benegal, cannot be screened in South Africa. Why?

What is the average South African's reaction to Mahatma Gandhi today? Are they aware of who he is?

Alexander: I love Mandela, but he himself repeatedly points out that there is a collective leadership in the ANC. I am merely emphasizing that there are many very competent and popular people in govt, our constitution is good, and we have in place safeguards - constitutional court, human rights commission - that I believe will ensure continued just govt.

What kind of a relationship do you share with Mr Mandela/

DR MEER:: Any plans on publishing a new book for us South Africans and the international world?

To repeat my question... I read once that Dr Mandela is the loneliest of men. He cares about his security staff, but does not know their names. As someone who knew him before his incarceration, how have those 27 years changed his life? How can a man be so bereft as anger as he is? And I believe he used to be a hot head before he went to jail!

Hey, what's happening?

Savera: Gandhi is a popular name. Many Africans (aged now 60 - 70) are named Gandhi. He is well known as a liberation leader

What is going to happen to South Africa after Nelson Mandela?

Dr Meer: Are you there? What is the future for Whites in your country? Will they be compelled to play a secondary role to the Africans in politics? Will their constituency be limited? Is there a lot of migration to the UK and the US?

If writing against him was illegal, how did you get permission to do the book and visit him in prison?

Is it true that The Making of the Mahatma, the film you worked on for Shyam Benegal, cannot be screened in South Africa. Why?

Madam Meer, what did you do during the apartheid years? Were you, like Frene Ginwala, active in ANC politics? Did you never think of exile?

Dr Meer: What is life like for the ordinary man in SA? How has it changed since Mandela took over as president?

Dr Meer: What do the south africans think about Indian freedom struggle and their struggle against the aperthaid?

Good Evening, Frau Meer! What an honour! I have admired you and your good husband for a long time. Please tell me what made you take to Gandhi? Are you still active in academics?

Dr Meer: Are you there? What is the future for Whites in your country? Will they be compelled to play a secondary role to the Africans in politics? Will their constituency be limited? Is there a lot of migration to the UK and the US?

RAM BIHARI SHARMA: The MAking of a Mahatma was screend here in South Africa very successfully

Phoenix: Mandela lives with his Grand children, one of whom is in early primary school. He knows every member of his staff personally and cares for them. Incidentally, he has 3 official residences and his own private house. His daily routine is so busy that I wonder when he has time to be lonely. I find all the life prisoners released from Robben Island bereft of anger. I assume they did a lot of meditating on the human condition.

Sorry, Miss Singh. I got the impression from friends in India that the film had done as badly in your country as in my original home?

Madam Meer, what did you do during the apartheid years? Were you, like Frene Ginwala, active in ANC politics? Did you never think of exile?

RAM BIHARI SHARMA: no problem sir!

Thank you, Mrs Meer. Why then would he want Grace Machel? I believe he is quite a ladies man. Always has been, if the accounts of the early years are right. Do you think he misses -- and I am going to use the W word -- Winnie?