Nelson Mandela, The Rivonia trial (Theater): Followed by: Nelson Mandela, First prize winner Ludovic Trarieux (Theater)

Nelson Mandela, The Rivonia trial (Theater): Followed by: Nelson Mandela, First prize winner Ludovic Trarieux (Theater)

Nelson Mandela has not only marked the history of his country, South Africa, but of Africa, even of the whole world. His leadership has delighted and inspired the whole world.

For this reason, he has continued to receive awards and honors around the world and he has the rare privilege of having become a legend during his lifetime. It is also for that reason that, in Mvezo’s village, a monument was dedicated to him in 1990 for the 10 years anniversary of his liberation and that the city of Leeds, in England, a statue was erected to him in 2001. Also for that reason, in 2004, his country honored him with a monument and renamed Sandton Square, in the heart of Johannesburg, « Nelson Mandela Square ». They have even built, for the 2010 world cup, the « Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium »... Since then, honors and attributes have come from all over the world and have multiplied, even after his death. It's with the same idea of honoring him that we thought, it is appropriate to pay him, in our modest way, with a deserved homage, especially through the two dramas that we offer you, with the aim of lifting the veil on an unknown part of his life. Our choice resolutely fell into two essential events, which are: - On one hand, the ceremony of handing over the first « Ludovic International Human Rights Prize Trarious », attributed to Nelson Mandela and delivered, in his absence, to his daughter Zenani Mandela Dlamini, on April 27, 1985, in Bordeaux, France. - On the other hand, the trial that took place in November 1962, in Pretoria and called the « Trial of Rivonia », Rivonia being the name of the Johannesburg suburb where the African National Congress (ANC) operated. Truth be told, the Rivonia Trial was, two trials in one: On the one hand, it was Mandela’s trial in which ironically he played the role of both accused and lawyer; and on the other hand, it was the Apartheid trial: Mandela has granted himself, in judges and apartheid regime supports face, the freedom to speak, in an original one-man show, for four hours, playing on words, playing with ailments and juggling ideas. The « Rivonia Trial » is historic and is of utmost importance. It is one of the major events in Nelson Mandal’s life, in South Africa history, in the history of fight for liberation. Because it was an unprecedented and solemn occasion to hear and really know the foundations and the workings of Apartheid, to appreciate, in their right proportions, the ANC claims and the meaning of their fight. Because it was also an exceptional opportunity to weigh Nelson Mandela's qualities as a tribune and the dimension of his commitment to the fight for the freedom and equality of an entire people; fight that brought an end to the apartheid regime, making him, Nelson Mandela, the symbol of the victory of justice for Africa and an example for all humanity. No one could ignore it. This is the reason why we invite you to rediscover these essential moments. Appreciate!