Various political activists, including Nelson Mandela, who was a lawyer at the time stood accused of treason in the 1950’s apartheid years.
These activists, who included Mandela, Ruth First, Z.K. Mathews and Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein drafted and adopted the Freedom Charter that spoke to the power of the people of South Africa.
The Apartheid government then orchestrated a raid on these activists that led to the Treason Trial of 1956 that lasted for 11 years. In 1961, all those accused were acquitted and discharged.
Mandela and other activists had an array of supporters that came to the court each time defendants were summoned.
Pictured is a young Madiba, making his way through a crowd of singing supporters at his trial in 1958.
“It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine.” ~ Nelson Mandela
An emotional Brenda Fassie, South African pop diva, embraces Mandela....
Nelson Mandela returned to his home in Soweto after his release from prison in 1990. Nelson grew up in No. 8115 Vilakazi Street and has sinc...
Madiba laughs as his shoe comes off while kicking a soccer ball....
In 1991, Nelson Mandela received an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for his commitment to the country ...