312: From Music to Madiba: A History of U.S. Relations with South Africa

Thirty years ago this week, Nelson Mandela, the renowned civil
rights and anti-apartheid leader, was released from prison. His
release marked the beginning of the end of South Africa’s brutal
apartheid regime and a new future for black South Africans.



So on this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Ed and Brian take a look
at the complicated and often contentious relationship American
officials and anti-racism activists have had with South
Africa.

Image: President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela with members of
the Congressional Black Caucus, including Representative Kweisi
Mfume, at an event at the Library of Congress. October 1994.
Source: Library of Congress