When John Graham-Cumming reaches out, it is wise to lend an ear. As the Chief Technology Officer of Cloudflare, his insights are often rooted in the intersection of technology and societal issues. Cumming is not only a leader in cybersecurity; he is a passionate advocate for justice, famously championing the posthumous apology of Alan Turing from the UK government for his wrongful persecution. It was Cumming’s message about a gripping story involving encryption, anti-apartheid activism, and clandestine communications that piqued my interest. The tale revolves around Tim Jenkin, an individual whose journey transformed from a nation of privilege to one of resistance.
Tim Jenkin, unlike many, did not remain passive in the face of injustice. He began as a “regular racist white South African,” a reflection of the deeply ingrained societal norms of his upbringing. However, his travels abroad unveiled the brutal realities of apartheid—a regime defined by systemic racism and repression. These revelations ignited a spark within Jenkin, compelling him to aid the African National Congress (ANC), the organization striving to dismantle the unjust governance of his homeland. His activism took shape not only through pamphleteering but also through innovative, albeit risky, guerilla tactics known as “leaflet bombs”—devices engineered to disseminate anti-government messages through the power of surprise.
Tragically, his public dissent did not go unnoticed; Jenkin was apprehended in 1978 and sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. However, his spirit remained unbroken, fueled by what could be described as a hacker’s mindset. From a young age, Jenkin displayed an aptitude for technology and craftsmanship, skills that would later serve as vital tools in his fight against the oppressive regime.
During his incarceration, Jenkin utilized his time not for despair but for ingenuity. In the prison woodshop, his clandestine efforts culminated in creating mock designs for keys that could unlock the very doors imprisoning him. After painstaking execution of his plan, he and a couple of fellow inmates managed to escape, finding temporary refuge in London. Yet, their struggle was far from over. The official ANC leadership faced dire challenges, primarily concerning communication. The organization needed a way to connect with activists back home, evading the ever-watchful eyes of surveillance by the apartheid regime.
Jenkin took it upon himself to devise a solution. The ANC required a communication system that combined security with practicality, allowing operatives to correspond without fear of interception. The project, called Operation Vula—meaning “to open” in Zulu—represented a shift from standard methods of communication that proved ineffective amid government scrutiny. Jenkin’s mission was clear: develop a robust and secure method of encryption.
Operating from his modest apartment in Islington, Jenkin found inspiration in the emerging field of personal computing. The era’s technological limitations were palpable; early PCs were rudimentary compared to today’s standards. Despite this, Jenkin plunged into programming with determination. Aware of the concerns surrounding pre-packaged cryptographic systems—fears of potential backdoors and governmental access—he endeavored to create a system of his own.
Employing a Toshiba T1000 computer and an early version of MS-DOS, Jenkin crafted an encryption method based on one-time pads—an age-old concept of security that offers unmatched protection when executed correctly. This technique involved using a key that matched the length of the message, making it virtually unbreakable when properly implemented.
Through his work, activists could encode messages using a floppy disk filled with random numbers generated through Jenkin’s program. The process facilitated secure communication: encrypted messages could be transformed into audio signals, recorded, and transmitted over phone lines. Recipients equipped with modems could easily decode these messages, thus maintaining an essential link in the fight against apartheid.
The ingenuity exemplified by Tim Jenkin and Operation Vula illustrates a remarkable chapter in the history of apartheid resistance. Their need for secure communication in an environment fraught with danger reflects not only a battle against oppression but an early testament to the revolutionary potential of technology in activism. Jenkin’s story—rooted in awareness, transformation, and skill—offers insight into how individuals can leverage unconventional thinking to challenge systemic injustice. This saga forces us to consider how modern technology can empower today’s activists, reminding us that the relentless pursuit of justice often wields greater strength than might alone.