Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela: Robben Island and after

While Mandela was in prison, police raided the ANC's underground headquarters at Lilliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, north of Johannesburg, and arrested several ANC leaders. Police found documents relating to the manufacture of explosives, Mandela's diary and copies of a draft memorandum - Operation Mayibuye - which outlined a possible strategy for guerrilla struggle.

The Rivonia Trial began in October 1963 and Mandela joined the other accused - Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Elias Motsoaledi, Ahmed Kathrada, Denis Goldberg and Wilton Mkwayi - being tried for sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Mandela's statement from the dock received worldwide publicity. On 12 June 1964, all eight of the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. Goldberg was sent to Pretoria Prison, the rest to Robben Island.

Mandela spent the next 18 years on Robben Island, before being transferred in 1982 to Pollsmoor prison in Cape Town and then to Victor Verster prison, where it was discovered that he was suffering from tuberculosis.

On Robben Island, Mandela, who was kept in isolation along with other senior leaders, continued to play an important role as a political leader behind bars, maintaining contact with the ANC leadership in exile.

From July 1986 onwards, Mandela initiated contact with government representatives, which led eventually to his July 1989 meeting with President PW Botha at Tuynhuys. In December 1989 he met De Klerk.

Mandela was released from jail on Sunday, 11 February 1990. The first images of the President-to-be walking out of prison were relayed live via satellite to ecstatic audiences across the globe.

Mandela led the ANC in negotiations with the South African government which culminated in the adoption of the interim constitution in November 1993. In 1994 the ANC won the country's first multiracial elections with an overwhelming majority.

Mandela's inauguration as President brought together the largest number of heads of state since the funeral of former US President John Kennedy in 1963.

On 18 July 1998 Mandela married Graca Machel, the widow of former Mozambique President Samora Machel.

SAinfo reporter

Using SAinfo material

Would you like to use this article in your publication
or on your website?
See: Using SAinfo material

Print this page Send this article to a friend

Mandela walks out of Pollsmoor prison on 11 February 1990 ... Almost no one outside prison had seen him or his photograph for 27 years (Photo: Nelson Mandela Foundation)

A historic picture of Mandela and Walter Sisulu on the island

You are free at last, ANC chief tells South Africa (The Star, 3 May 1994)

Mandela lands a 'straight left' to the chin of former World Champion Muhammad Ali as South African Special Olympics Athlete Rofhiwa looks on at the Global Youth Summit held during the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland in June 2003 (Photo: Ray McManus, Special Olympics)