SHORT TAKES : Mandela Tells Donahue He’s Optimistic on End to Apartheid

Nelson R. Mandela, the recently released South African nationalist leader, taped a satellite appearance on “Donahue” Wednesday night and said he was optimistic about a peaceful end to apartheid.

Mandela, speaking via satellite from Lusaka, Zambia, to Phil Donahue’s audience at the NBC Studios in Burbank, answered questions from the host and audience on everything from his political ambitions to Israel and blacks in America.

Donahue pressed Mandela on whether the African National Congress is prepared to renounce its support of violence in the struggle against apartheid.

Mandela, who was released just over two weeks ago after 27 years in prison, said the South African government must meet ANC conditions before the opposition group can renounce violence.

“There is no doubt that if the government normalizes the political climate, there are a number of actions we could take to respond to what the government has done,” he said. “Until then, we are not prepared to call off the armed struggle.”

Mandela, in Lusaka to confer with exiled ANC leaders, said the South African government must free all political prisoners and lift a state of emergency before the ANC will renounce violence.

But he said several times that he is optimistic that apartheid can be ended without violence.

“I think the time is rapidly approaching for us to settle matters peacefully,” he said.