Mandela, the greatest man of the 20th century

by. Premasara Epasinghe

[Part 2]

The case was taken up by Magistrate F.C.A. Wessets with Mandela. There were a number of ANC activists facing the trail. The defence team consisted of Bram Fischer, Norman Rosenberg, Israel Maisels, Mausice Franks and Vernon Berrange.

The chief prosecutor Van Niekerk read 18,000 word address outlining the crown case. After 13 months of trail, the high treason case was transferred to Transvaal Supreme Court.

Nelson Mandela and all the accused were kept in the Pretoria and Johannesburg prisons. In August 1958, the government appointed a special high court justice F.L. Rumpff - President. Justice Kennedy and Justice Ludort. Out of these three Justice Kennedy was a famous member of National Party and known as a "Hanging Judge". On October 13, 1958, the crown withdrew the indictment. Then again on August 3 the trial commenced in Pretoria. On March 29, 1961, Justice Rumpuff spoke for 45 minutes and said "Accused found not guilty and discharged."

National anthem

All hell broke out. Spectators gallery erupted. The ANC supporters sang "Nkosi sikelel Afrika" the present National Anthem of South Africa.

After two years, Mandela was again arrested. He was known as 'Black Pimpernel which means' A wild plant with small, star shaped, scarlet, blue or white flowers that close up in wet or cloudy weather. From the Fort Prison, Johannesburg, he was transferred to Pretoria.

In the Rivonia trial, Mandela was sentenced for five year imprisonment. After the sentences was passed, when the judge asked him weather he likes to make a statement, Mandela spoke from the dock.

"My Lord, as an Attorney-at-Law and as a democrat and a good citizen, I accept whatever punishment you give me. After service my sentence I will continue the freedom struggle against the remove of injustices, until they are fully abolished. In this country, white supremacy implies black inferiority. All Africans, blacks or whites, everyone must be equal. They must get equal opportunities.

The judge in the Rivonia trial was Quartus de Wet Judge President of Transvel. He was one of the last judges appointed by the United Party, before Nationalists came to power. They prosecutor was Dr. Percy Yutar. Bram Tisher appeared for ANC. The accused were Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan, Ellia, Ahmed Kathrada, Rusty Bernstein and James Kantor who were charged with treason. Out of them only Rusty Bernstein was found not guilty and discharged.

Prison

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison and his darkest days were at the Robben Island. I visited Robben Island in Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, Sun city. Kruger and Pilensbers Parks in 1998. In Robben Island Prison, a rectangular stone fortress. I saw three lines of cells - A-B-C. It seems that Nelson Mandela and other leaders were kept in section B. It was a prison within a prison.

The most important person in any prisoner's life is the warder or jailor of one's section. ANC prisoners were given a real tough time, except for a white officer named warder James Gregory.

Once a non-white prisoner who was working in the lime quarry with Mandela was so tired, he asked for a glass of water.

He was asked to dig a small area and stretch inside it. The white warder with a beaming smile said, "You black bastard open your mouth. I will not give you cool water. I will give lot of hot, warm water to drink." When the poor man opened his mouth the white warder urinated to his mouth!

Robben Island, was the most iron-fisted our-post prison in South Africans the penal system stated Mandela. Colommel Wessels and General Steyn, Badenhorst, Commanding Officers of Robben Island were colourless ruthless meno. The Greek national leader, icon Nelson Mandela lived 18 years of his 27 year in a small cell at Roben Island prison.

One day in 1976, there was strange visitor to see Mandela. He was Jimmy Kruger, the Minister of Prisons. He was critical of the government handling of the freedom trouble.

In June 16, 1976, 15,000 school children protested against the governments rule that must be taught Afrikaans. Teacher too protected. Due to police shooting many school children died. It triggered riots in the country. By 1978, Prime Minister P.W. Botha succeeded John Vorster.

Discussions

In the South East of Cape Town, Pollsmoor Prison was situated. Compared to Robben-Island, Pollsmoor Prison was like a five-star hotel. Mandela and some of his colleagues were transferred to Pollsmoor. Mandela's new cell consisted of three rooms and a separate toilet. The white government started discussions with him. The world leaders made a public cry to release Mandela and ANC members and end apartheid.

In August 1989, P.W. Botha registed and F.W. De Klerk was sworn in an acting President. He was now the head of the National Party. On October 10, 1989, President de Klerk the former Robbin Island Colleagues of Mandela. They were Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmad Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motosoaledi, Jeff Masemola, Wilton Mkwayi, Ossar Mpetha.Then they freed Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison.

June 3, 1993 was a landmark day in the South African history. It was the date multi-party forum voted to set a date for South Africa's first national and non-racial one person - one vote election on April 27, 1994.

Sports loving president gave 100 percent support to stage the 1994 Rugby World Cup in Ellis Park, Johannesburg. South Africa beat New Zealand. All Black in a thriller 15-12 annexed the world cup.

This great patriot and leader Nelson Mandela had six children. Madiba, Makaziwe, Makgatho, Makaziwe, Zenchi and Zindi. Makaziwe was the oldest of the three children from his, from marriage to Evelyn, a sister to thembi and Makgatho. He had two daughters Zeni and Zindzi from the marriage of winnie.

His wife Winnie Mandela nee Namzamo Winifred Madikizela ably supported Nelson Mandela in his freedom struggle of the nihon.

Unassuming, fine human being, this great National patriot, Father of South Africa the greatest man of the 20th century Nelson Mandela may he live long in the hearts of the people.

Concluded