The ‘Release Mandela’ student marches at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the 1980’s were a vital part of the freedom movement in South Africa, protesting the incarceration of political prisoner Nelson Mandela on Robben Island.
The students of UCT came together despite their racial and cultural differences, to call the nation to action to embrace freedom and equality for all.
UCT was known as a liberal university during the apartheid regime, accepting black students to study there and disregarding the Group Area Acts by letting them live in dormitories on campus. UCT students actively opposed former prime minister PW Botha, his oppressing laws and the state of emergency South Africa was in.
Students from different races and cultures would gather on the steps of the university and peacefully protest apartheid, oppressive laws and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.
The marches were usually met with police interference and students would have to protect themselves against blows with sjamboks (a type of rod) from policemen and disperse as they arrived on the scene. In most cases, the marches were intended to be peaceful and publicly showcase the student’s belief in freedom, equal rights and the end of apartheid.
“Forget the past.” ~ Nelson Mandela
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