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Mandela Arrest
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Mandela Arrest
Arrest and trial of Nelson Mandela. Letter from The Observer regarding books for Mandela to Sir John Maud at the British Embassy in South Africa, August 1962 Date: 1962
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Media ID 7404421
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1478 Document Documents Letter Letters Sending
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, a letter and documents are being prepared for dispatch at the British Embassy in South Africa, August 1962. The contents of the envelope are of significant importance: they include books and reading materials destined for Nelson Mandela, who at that time was imprisoned following his arrest on August 5, 1962, under the Terrorism Act. The letter, dated August 13, 1962, is addressed to Sir John Maud, the British High Commissioner in South Africa. It is a request from The Observer, a leading British newspaper, to facilitate the sending of books to Mandela. The letter, signed by the editor of The Observer, states, "We have received a request from Mr. Nelson Mandela for some books and we should be very grateful if you could arrange for these to be sent to him in prison." The document numbered 1478, DO119, serves as a record of this request and the subsequent action taken. The embassy staff carefully packaged the books and arranged for their delivery to Mandela, who was being held at the notorious Robben Island Prison. This act of solidarity from The Observer and its editor was a small but meaningful gesture of support for Mandela during his long and arduous imprisonment. The books provided a valuable source of knowledge, inspiration, and connection to the outside world for the anti-apartheid icon, who went on to become the first black president of South Africa in 1994. This photograph and the accompanying documents offer a poignant reminder of the power of literature and the role it can play in sustaining hope and resistance during times of adversity. The image also underscores the crucial role of diplomacy and international support in the struggle against apartheid and the fight for human rights and freedom.
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