Mandela Trials Papers
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- Creator
- Joffe, Joel (b 1932) Baron Joffe of Liddington, lawyer
TitleMandela Trials Papers
Reference codeICS52
Date1962-1964
Scope and ContentPhotocopies of papers collected by Joel Joffe, lawyer acting for Nelson Mandela, relating to Mandela's trial in Pretoria (1962) and the Rivonia Trial (1963-1964); including Mandela's application to have the Pretoria trial postponed, October 1962; Mandela's address to the court in mitigation of the sentence of five years imprisonment, detailing his political commitment and activities in the African National Congress (ANC), November 1962; copy of the indictment in the Rivonia Trial, initial statement made by Mandela to his lawyers, giving details of his early life; notes by Mandela on his life and ANC association; copy of Mandela's statement from the dock, signed by Mandela, manuscript notes by Mandela to use if he were sentenced to death, and manuscript notes by Mandela referring to the tribal council called Imbizo.
NotesNelson Rolihlala Mandale was born in 1918 in the Transkei, son of a Tembu Chief. He attended a Methodist boarding school and Fort Hare College in 1938, from which he was expelled for organising a student strike. He became a mine policeman and then studied law at Witwatersrand University. In December 1952 he established the first firm of African lawyers with his friend Oliver Tambo in Johannesburg. In 1944 he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and founded the ANC Youth League, becoming very active in their campaigns. He was served with a banning order in 1953, but continued his opposition to the South African government. He was arrested on 8 August 1962, and sentenced on 7 Nov 1962 to five years imprisonment for incitement to strike and illegal exit from the country. At the Rivonia sabotage trial, which opened on 20 October 1963, he was charged in his position as leader of Umkonto we Sizwe, (the militant wing of the liberation movement) with plotting revolution. On 12 June 1964 he was sentenced to life imprisonment, which he served on Robben Island. He was released in 1990 and served as President of the ANC, 1991-1997 and President of South Africa, 1994-1999.
Conditions governing accessOpen for research although at least 24 hours notice before a research visit. However, access to individual items may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act.
Extent1/2 box
Physical descriptionPhotocopies
System of ArrangementChronological
Finding aidsHandlist available in the Special Collections reading room. A pdf version is also attached to this description.
Related files
Several collections at ICS contain material about Mandela, South Africa and the ANC, including African National Congress Papers (ICS1); Mary Benson Papers (ICS6); Ruth First Papers (ICS117); Foreign Correspondents Association of South Africa (ICS102).
Level of descriptionfonds