London

28 June 1965

My dear Zeke

Our friendship is too firm, and too precious for any beating around the bush – it is naturally a disappointment to me that you were not able to write the sort of foreword the publishers hoped for, but I am not altogether surprised – however, I do hope you will share your misgivings with me because your thoughts are always helpful.

R.D. sorry this morning to say they can wait no longer. Having decided on October 18 for publication they apparently worked out deadline for every stage, that involved sending the page proofs back to the printers last week.

I wonder whether Ruth First's 117 Days has reached Nairobi, and what do you think about such publication. The Times surprised us by giving it a subleader which ended by saying that if the book is not stark truth, it is up to the South African Government to tell the world what are the facts! Of course besides such writing my effort is kindergarten!

I did not go to the Freedom Day rally in Trafalgar Square yesterday because I was star preacher in the evening at a Salonika 1915 landing reunion service. Solomon Ngakane, who lives near here, told me the turn out was less than usual which is surprising because Ruth was one of the speakers – actually I think it only goes to show how that the mind of the public can be over nauseated. The only member of any of the delegations to the Commonwealth meeting I met was Herbert Chitepo who came over with the Tanzanian team, he took the trouble to come and see me so we had an all too short chat.

My grapevine tells me the Zambian University project is still undecided, have you heard from them?

I must not keep you longer from your mountain of work!

Nomsa has gone down to the launderette but if she were here I know she would add her usual affectionate greeting to Rebecca and with love to all the family, including Locksley.