In Pursuit of Liberty: Legality vs Justice

30 May, 2011 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation in association with Pambili Productions and South African History Online (SAHO) will open an exhibition on June 14, 2011 depicting apartheid courts as a site of struggle. ‘In Pursuit of Liberty: Legality vs. Justice’ examines three case studies to illustrate the heroism, martyrdom and the ethical arguments that informed freedom fighters – leaders and foot soldiers alike – in the liberation struggle.

The three ‘stories’ that form the focus of the exhibition are: The story of the Rivonia Trial and the arrest of the MK High Command; Solomon ‘Kalushi’ Mahlangu, his trial and execution; the Silverton Siege and the Soekmekaar and Silverton trials.

They highlight the conflict between justice and legality during the liberation struggle and show how freedom fighters on trial used the apartheid courts as a site of struggle. They argued that the law was drawn up without the consent of the majority; it was enforced to ensure the perpetuation of an unjust system. A struggle would be waged to establish a new legal system that would embody the values of a constitution that protected human rights and non-racialism.

This exhibition is an attempt to initiate a dialogue about the values and policies that influenced the oppressed, their leaders and their organisations, and how this has shaped the values embodied in the new South African Constitution.

Date: 14 June 2011
Venue: Nelson Mandela Foundation, 107 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg
Time: 16h00 – 18h30