John Graham-Cumming, CTO of Cloudflare and technology historian, shared an incredible story with elements including one-time pads, 8-bit computers, and flight attendants smuggling random numbers into South Africa. The story revolves around Tim Jenkin, a former anti-apartheid activist who created a communication system vital to the African National Congress. The system, called Operation Vula, used public phones, tape recorders, and a one-time pad encryption technique to securely convey messages. Graham-Cumming recently decrypted Jenkin’s cryptosystem, showcasing the historical impact and practicality of his work. Despite challenges, Jenkin’s work played a significant role in the downfall of apartheid, a remarkable feat that has inspired movies and documentaries.
https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-you-can-now-see-the-code-that-ended-apartheid/