While Madiba was incarcerated on the island, he was assigned hard labour - digging lime in a quarry and collecting seaweed. This left him with permanent eye trouble and a damaged knee.
One of about 1400 prisoners on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela all but vanished from the public and political scene while he was imprisoned.
However, he became the acknowledged leader of all the political prisoners on Robben Island. Members of the African National Congress (ANC), Pan African Congress (PAC) and the African Resistance Movement as well as others respected him and accepted his authority.
In 1994, Mandela revisited Robben Island as a free man.
“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.” ~ 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....
Mandela and other activists had an array of supporters that came to the court each time defendants were summoned. Pictured is a young Madiba...