Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, (born July 18, 1918), was the first democratically elected President of South Africa, having previously been a prominent anti-apartheid activist there. Initially committed to non-violence, he later became involved in the planning of underground armed resistance activities, such as sabotage. Mandela's 27-year imprisonment, much of which he spent in a tiny prison cell on Robben Island, became one of the most widely publicised examples of apartheid's injustices. Upon his release in 1990, the policy of reconciliation he pursued enabled a peaceful transition to a new, democratic South Africa - an enormous achievement which many South Africans believe would have been impossible without his influence.

Arrest and imprisonment

In 1961, he became the leader of the ANC's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe (translated as Spear of the Nation, also abbreviated MK), which he co-founded. He coordinated a sabotage campaign against military, government and civilian targets, and made plans for a possible guerrilla war if sabotage failed to end apartheid. He also raised funds for MK abroad, and arranged for paramilitary training, visiting various African governments.

Related Topics:
1961 - ANC - Umkhonto we Sizwe - Sabotage - Military - Government - Civilian - Guerrilla war - Apartheid - Paramilitary - Africa

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On August 5, 1962, he was arrested after living on the run for seventeen months and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. There was some speculation, as yet unproven, that the CIA might have tipped off the police as to his whereabouts. Three days later, the charges of leading workers to strike in 1961 and leaving the country illegally were read to him during a court appearance. On October 25, 1962, Mandela was sentenced to five years in prison. Two years later on June 11, 1964, a verdict had been reached concerning his previous engagement in the African National Congress (ANC).

Related Topics:
August 5 - 1962 - CIA - 1961 - October 25 - Prison - June 11 - 1964 - African National Congress

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While Mandela was in prison, police arrested prominent ANC leaders on July 11, 1963, at Liliesleaf Farm, Rivonia, north of Johannesburg. Mandela was brought in, and at the Rivonia Trial, Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba, Elias Motsoaledi, Walter Mkwayi (who escaped during trial), Arthur Goldreich (who escaped from prison before trial), Dennis Goldberg and Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein were charged with sabotage and crimes equivalent to treason, but which were easier for the government to prove. Joel Joffe, Arthur Chaskalson and George Bizos were part of the defense team that represented the accused. All except Rusty Bernstein were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on 12 June 1964. Charges included involvement in planning armed action, in particular sabotage, which Mandela admitted to, and a conspiracy to help other countries invade South Africa, which Mandela denied. Over the course of the next twenty-six years, Mandela became increasingly associated with opposition to apartheid to the point where the slogan "Free Nelson Mandela" became the rallying cry for all anti-apartheid campaigners around the world.

Related Topics:
July 11 - 1963 - Rivonia Trial - Ahmed Kathrada - Walter Sisulu - Govan Mbeki - Andrew Mlangeni - Raymond Mhlaba - Elias Motsoaledi - Walter Mkwayi - Arthur Goldreich - Dennis Goldberg - Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein - Treason - Joel Joffe - Arthur Chaskalson - George Bizos - 12 June - 1964 - Sabotage - Conspiracy

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While in prison, Mandela was able to send a statement to the ANC who in turn published it on 10 June 1980, reading in part:

Related Topics:
10 June - 1980

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Unite! Mobilise! Fight on! Between the anvil of united mass action and the hammer of the armed struggle we shall crush apartheid! http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/64-90/anvil.html

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Refusing an offer of conditional release in return for renouncing armed struggle in February 1985, Mandela remained in prison until February 1990, when sustained ANC campaigning and international pressure led to his release on February 11, when State President F.W. de Klerk ordered his release and the ending of the ban on the ANC. He and De Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He became the third of only three persons of non-Indian origin (Mother Teresa in 1980, a naturalized Indian citizen, and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in 1987, a non-Indian, being the others) to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1990. Mandela had already been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1988.

Related Topics:
1985 - February 11 - State President - F.W. de Klerk - Nobel Peace Prize - 1993 - Mother Teresa - 1980 - Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan - 1987 - Bharat Ratna - India - 1990 - Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought - 1988

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On the day of his release, February 11, 1990, Mandela made a speech to the nation. While declaring his commitment to peace and reconciliation with the country's white minority, he made it clear that the ANC's armed struggle was not yet over:

Related Topics:
February 11 - 1990

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:"Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC (Umkhonto we Sizwe) was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle".

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