South Africa: Apartheid Presentation By: Angelique Pol & John Gutierrez

The Imprisonment of the ANC Leadership

The History of Apartheid’s Famous Political Prisoners The African National Congress (ANC) wanted to ensure that every South African citizen was entitled to basic human rights. After the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 and banning of ANC The ANC decided that non-violent methods like those used by Gandhi were not effective or suitable against the Apartheid system ANC took up arms against the South African Government in 1961

Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) “Spear of the Nation” this organization was made to defend their people. It was lead by Nelson Mandela Formed an underground military wing. The MK operations involved targeting and sabotaging government facilities. 18 months MK carried out acts of Sabotage

In 1963, police raided the secret headquarters of MK, arresting the leadership. This led to the Rivonia Trial where the leaders of MK were charged with attempting to cause a violent revolution.

Black Panthers

Rivonia Trial (1963-1964)

“The Trial that Changed South Africa” The Rivonia trial lead to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and other members were convicted for life sentences. Most of the ANC leaders and members were sent to life in prison Sent to prison for doing acts of sabotage Planned on using guerilla warfare but tactic was not used Sabotage did not lead to anyone getting hurt or dead Rivonia Trial→ also known as the trial that changed south Africa

Origins: Rivonia Rivonia: A suburb in Johannesburg where leaders were arrested. Arrested at Liliesleaf farm. Liliesleaf farm→ used as a hideout for the African National Congress and other groups. Around October 1961- Nelson Mandela moved into the farm disguising as a gardener and a cook, using a fake name: (David Motsamayi) His fake name means “The Walker” Liliesleaf was a HQ/base

Connection- Civil Rights Movement Mandela’s speech and MLK speech Both speeches talked about how they want racism to end and bring freedom and peace among all people Mandela and ANC leaders = MLK and Malcom X imprisoned All leaders were arrested for opposing the unfair justice and law They had the same idea that the police would not be able to fit everyone in the jails, forcing them to change their laws Both Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. had white people helping them in the fight against white supremacy

Mandela’s famous speech→ I am Prepared to Die This is Mandela’s famous, I am prepared to die speech Speech was about three hours long and trying to defend and explain the ANC’s key political positions

The Arrested Nelson Mandela Walter Sisulu Govan Mbeki Raymond Mhlaba Ahmed Kathrada Bob Hepple Arthur Goldreich Harold Wolpe James “Jimmy” Kantor

Rivonia Trial Summary of the Rivonia Trial

Charges Charged under the Sabotage act of 1962 Recruitment of people by training them to use explosives and using guerilla warfare for sabotage and revolution Soliciting and receiving money from sympathizers in Algeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, Tunisia, and etc. Sabotage Act 1962 → act of terrorism

Aftermath of the Rivonia Trial Many Anti-Apartheid groups grew weaker and the ANC got banned in 1960. Oliver Tambo took over the presidency of the ANC when it went into exile Steve Biko (South African Student Organization), Black Conscientious Movement, and United Democratic front → worked together In 1973, many workers in Durban went on strike and opposed the authorities. All three groups worked together to oppose the Apartheid

ROBBEN ISLAND

Political Prisoners Robben Island sits about six miles off the coast Mandela was placed in the prison twice : A short stay after a 1962 conviction, and then nearly two decades after he was found guilty of sabotage in 1964 along with the other ANC leaders involved in the case. Conditions were terrible, there food was rationed and their space was extremely small. Many inmates worked in a prison limestone quarry.The glare off the white rock damaged the eyesight of many prisoners.

More than 3,000 political prisoners were eventually held there before the forces against apartheid finally triumphed

OPCVL