The Rivonia Trial
On October 9th, 1963, Nelson Mandela joined ten others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. Below is an excerpt from his famous speech "Speech from the Dock" on April 20th, 1964:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” - from Nelson Mandela's "Speech from the Dock"
Nelson Mandela, along with seven other were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on June 11th, 1964. His mother died in 1968 and his son Thembi in 1969, but he was not allowed to attend their funerals.
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” - from Nelson Mandela's "Speech from the Dock"
Nelson Mandela, along with seven other were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on June 11th, 1964. His mother died in 1968 and his son Thembi in 1969, but he was not allowed to attend their funerals.
Robben Island
"This is the island. Here you will die. Move! Move!" - Prison Guard, from Nelson Mandela
In the winter of 1964, he arrived in Robben Island, where he would spend the next 18 years of his life locked in a small cell. He was forced to do drudgery, and was only allowed someone to visit him 30 minutes every year. The island eventually became his palace of reflection, as it transformed him and give the patience and forgiving values he possesses as a leader. He befriended most of the prison guards, and became a leader in the the prison among the inmates. He was a changed man when he left. He came in as a motivated advocate for equal rights, but came out as a charismatic leader.
Mandela's family was torn apart by the unfortunate turn of events that were bestowed upon them, below is a letter Mandela wrote to his children: |
Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison
"In April 1982, the commanding officer of Robben Island came into Mandela's cell to tell him to pack his belongings because he was being moved from the island. Mandela, puzzled, stowed away his accumulated things into a few cardboard boxes, and had no time to say proper goodbyes."
-Anthony Sampson, from Mandela: The Authorized Biography
He was transferred to Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison in Cape Town, where he spent for his last 8 years of prison.