Oct 18, 2024, 9:00 AM
Oct 18, 2024, 9:00 AM

You Can Now See the Code That Helped End Apartheid

Highlights
  • Operation Vula, initiated by the ANC in the late 1970s, aimed to smuggle critical communication technology into South Africa.
  • The operation utilized one-time pads for encrypted messaging, enabling covert coordination among ANC leaders.
  • The successful decryption of a 30-year-old file illustrates the significant role technology played in the fight against apartheid.
Story

In the late 1970s, as apartheid was rampant, a significant operation called Operation Vula was initiated by the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. This operation aimed to smuggle critical communications equipment and encrypted technology into the country to facilitate coordination among ANC leaders, both inside and outside South Africa. John Graham-Cumming, now the CTO of Cloudflare, recently decrypted a 30-year-old file linked to this operation, which had played a crucial role in transforming the political landscape of South Africa. The encrypted communication system utilized one-time pads, allowing activists to send messages without detection. ANC members, unaware of the full extent of their involvement, transported laptops and communication devices into South Africa, facilitating covert coordination against the apartheid government. After the ANC was unbanned in 1991, the organization credited Operation Vula for significantly bolstering their efforts and contributing to their eventual success in combatting apartheid. Reflecting on his past, Graham-Cumming noted the careful measures taken to transport sensitive equipment into South Africa, including compressing files and employing passwords to ensure security. He faced unique challenges as he sought to access the original encrypted communications, leading to his recent breakthrough in decrypting significant files from that era. This recent development sheds light on the complex interplay between technology and historical movements, showcasing how encrypted communication facilitated democratic efforts in a time of oppression.

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