The transcript on page one of the Transcript section comes from the South African Government Information Website. The transcript on page two of the transcript section is from the ANC website. It is assumed that page one was the version actually presented but this has not been confirmed.
While he was born in the Eastern Cape village of Mvezo, the only son of his father’s third wife, Nelson Mandela spend most of his early childhood in Qunu and later moved to Mqhekezweni after his father died. He has always enjoyed returning to Qunu where he built a house after his release from prison in 1990. Uppermost in his mind as a free man was to visit Qunu where his parents were laid to rest. His mother Nosekeni had died in her Seventies in 1968 when her son was imprisoned on Robben Island. As soon as he could, he visited her grave and that of his father Nkosi (Chief) Mphakanyiswa who had died when he was a boy.
Audio recordings and transcripts of conversations that Rick Stengel had with Nelson Mandela for the research of Long Walk to Freedom, covering Nelson Mandela's life from 1918-1994.
Contains papers relating to Rivonia Trial made available by Joel Joffe. Copies housed in the Bram Fischer Library. Originals at Historical Papers, University of Witwatersrand, A2519 Nelson Mandela Papers: Handwritten speeches and papers by Nelson Mandela for the Pretoria Regional Court Trial (1962) and the Rivonia Trial (1963-1964). The collection includes further notes by Nelson Mandela for his defence; the application for the remand of the trial; an application challenging the right of the court to try him and his preparatory notes. Rivonia Trial records are a typed copy of Mandela's statement from the dock (signed); final clause of statement from the dock (manuscript); notes that Mandela intended to use if he were sentenced to death when asked if he had anything to say (manuscript).
Story: After years of talks about talks, and then actual talks, the parties in South Africa agreed in June 1993 that the country would hold its first democratic elections on 27 April 1994. The elderly, infirm and pregnant women went to the polls the day before. An extra day was added on for voting after it became clear that more time was needed. Here Nelson Mandela talks humorously about a retreat at which the date of the elections was discussed between the African National Congress and the South African government.
This item consists of a letter written by Nelson Mandela to the legal firm of Seedat Pillay & Co. that was smuggled out of Robben Island Prison. Mandela wished to appoint the firm to act on his behalf in legal proceedings against the Department of Prisons. Since the authorities refused to allow him contact with his attorneys, he had to use this "illegal" method to seek legal representation.
2 handwritten manuscripts of letters by Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada. Includes envelope which Jude Pillay posted had posted to himself in case he was questioned as to how he received the letters. Judge Thumba Pillay donated the two letters and the envelope to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in 2009.
After the 1976 Soweto Uprising Robben Island and other prisons in South Africa swelled with new prisoners – young people who had taken part in this watershed period in the country’s history. The Soweto generation who had faced down the armed police of the apartheid regime had been killed, driven into exile or captured and jailed. These militant young people brought with them news that the opposition to apartheid that the regime had crushed since the Mandela generation had risen. Hope was at hand. Anti-apartheid forces were again on the march. The older prisoners were inspired.
Opening of 5th World Parks Congress "Benefits Beyond Boundaries" ;The 5th World Parks Congress was to have been held in 2002 but was postponed on request by the South African Government because South Africa was hosting the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Mandela, and Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan were both Patrons of the Congress.
Ceremony for bestowing the Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award on Mandela for his for his fight against discrimination and for equal rights and opportunities for all.
Launch NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service African Public Service Fellowship Fund; Mandela was also honoured with the Universities Presidential Medal
