Working in the shadows between the Marxist and apartheid regimes of Angola and South Africa, businessman Jean-Yves Ollivier helped broker changes that shook a nation
The extraordinary part played by a French businessman in hastening the collapse of apartheid and Nelson Mandela's release from prison after 26 years is revealed in a documentary to be shown in British cinemas.
In the 1980s Jean-Yves Ollivier was a commodities trader who used business connections and private funds to negotiate an African maze. Under the codename Monsieur Jacques, he acted as an unofficial diplomat, influencing the course of talks between African and western political leaders.
At a time when all southern Africa was at war, he acted as an intermediary for secret, high-level contacts within the "frontline states" and South Africa. He negotiated prisoner exchanges, including that of two anti-apartheid militants held in South Africa and a South African, Wynand Du Toit, captured...
The extraordinary part played by a French businessman in hastening the collapse of apartheid and Nelson Mandela's release from prison after 26 years is revealed in a documentary to be shown in British cinemas.
In the 1980s Jean-Yves Ollivier was a commodities trader who used business connections and private funds to negotiate an African maze. Under the codename Monsieur Jacques, he acted as an unofficial diplomat, influencing the course of talks between African and western political leaders.
At a time when all southern Africa was at war, he acted as an intermediary for secret, high-level contacts within the "frontline states" and South Africa. He negotiated prisoner exchanges, including that of two anti-apartheid militants held in South Africa and a South African, Wynand Du Toit, captured...
- 1/19/2014
- by Dalya Alberge
- The Guardian - Film News
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