On this date in 1987 Prime Minister Brian Mulroney arrived in Africa, becoming the first Western leader to visit the front-line states opposing South African apartheid. History records the importance of Mulroney's trip there as the battle against apartheid continued.In his Memoirs, however, Mulroney noted that despite the gravity and importance of his visit, there still were humourous moments. One came when he made a courtesy call on the ceremonial President of Zimbabwe, Canaan Banana.“Prime Minister,” journalist Bob Fife asked the PM afterwards, “how would you describe your meeting with President Banana?”