A KGB trained spy's desperate escape from Cold War South Africa (295)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2023

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

South Africa in the 1980s is a brutal, racist Apartheid regime. Those who oppose it risk their lives. Apartheid was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s Sue Dobson is moving easily through the echelons of the racist government in her work as a journalist, whilst concealing her espionage and military training in the Soviet Union, and her intelligence work for the banned African National Congress. She interviewed Apartheid ministers and had a honey trap affair with a police chief involved with the Namibian independence process. However, Sue's cover is blown leading to her desperate flight across Southern Africa with the Apartheid security police snapping at her heels. We hear in detail about her tense three day car journey to the Soviet Embassy in Botswana and how her KGB training saved her life… 0:00 Introduction and Sue Dobson's Espionage Journey 2:22 Sue's Role in the South African Bureau of Information and Namibia's Independence 8:21 Sue's Encounter with Key Information Source and Communication with ANC 13:55 Sue's Meeting with Apartheid Era Figures and Confrontation with Pik Botha 18:44 Sue's Moral Dilemma and Justification for Her Actions 20:37 Global Attention on South Africa and Tactics Used in Namibia 22:37 Sue's Job Offer and Realization of a Potential Exposure 24:15 Sue's Escape Plan and Journey through Namibia 32:58 Sue's Close Encounter with Surveillance and Journey to Botswana 40:12 Sue's Refuge in the Russian Compound and Escape to Europe 44:27 Sue's New Life in the UK and Fears of Parcel Bombs and Poisonings 47:22 Sue's Decision to Share Her Story Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Listeners can find details of our book giveaway here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ Episode extras including videos and photos https://coldwarconversations.com/episode295/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:30.2	Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:56.0	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts. Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our emailing list at cold war conversations.com.
1:05.7	We continue the story of Sue Dobson's intelligence work as a KGB trained spy for the banned African National Congress. Sue is moving easily through the echelons of the racist South African government
1:13.0	in her work as a journalist. She interviews apartheid ministers and had a honey trap affair
1:19.0	with a police chief involved in the Namibian independence process. However, Sue's cover is
1:24.8	blown leading to her desperate flight across southern Africa,
1:29.1	with the South African security police snapping at her heels.
1:33.0	We hear in detail about her tense three-day car journey to the Soviet embassy in Botswana
1:38.8	and how her KGB training saved her life.
1:43.3	Sue has written a book about her experiences called Burned.
1:48.1	The Spy South Africa Never Caught.
1:51.1	There's links in the episode notes for you to purchase the book and support Cold War
1:56.2	Conversations.
1:58.4	The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air.
	...

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