My Visit To Constitution Hill And Court In Johannesburg South Africa

Constitution Hill And Court Wall Mural In Johannesburg South Africa

The wall outside the Constitution Court was painted with mural of some of the selfless heroes who sacrificed their freedom to ensure the freedom and fair treatment of black and other non-white Africans.

What Does This Say About The Court System?

Robert Sobukwe (1924-1978)

Founded the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Sobukwe was considered to be so dangerous by the apartheid government and it enacted laws to keep Sobukwe imprisoned. Sobukwe supported an African future for South Africa for Africans only. He did not support any model that had black Africans working with anyone other than black Africans. He left the African National Congress (ANC) and founded the PAC because he didn’t believe in the ANC’s values of working with white people. When Sobukwe was imprisoned he was kept in solitary confinement which drove him crazy. He was released from jail in 1969 and was allowed to live with his family under house arrest until he died.

Albertina Sisulu (1918-2011)

Political activist and nurse who is often referred to as the “Mother of the Nation.” She was jailed several times along with her activist husband Walter Sisulu (1912-2003) for their political activities in standing up against apartheid. Albertina Sisulu served in the first democratically elected Parliament in 1994.

Oliver Tambo (1917-1993)

Oliver Tambo was the acting president of the African National Congress (1967-1991)^[1], and served his role primarily in exile in Botswana. He opened the first black law firm in the country with Nelson Mandela. Tambo was able to return to South Africa in 1990, and in 1991 he turned over the presidency to Nelson Mandela.

Albert Lutuli (Luthuli) (1898-1967)

Served as President-General of the African National Congress (ANC) from December 1952 until his death in 1967.^[2] Chief Albert Luthuli, chief of a Zulu tribe, became Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in 1960.

Joe Slovo (1926-1995)

Slovo was one of the earliest members of the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC) Umkhonto we Sizwe. Slovo continued to work for the ANC and the SACP abroad and in 1977 moved to Maputo, Mozambique, where he established an operational centre for the ANC.^[3]

Sheila Weinberg (1945-2004)

Member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). Weinberg was a member of many organizations and her life was full with activism.

Lilian Masediba Ngoyi (1911-1980)

Lilian Masediba Ngoyi joined the ANC during the 1950 Defiance Campaign. Previously the ANC relied on tactics like petitions but the 1950 campaign used more obtrusive tactics. Ngoyi was arrested for using facilities in a post office that were reserved for white people. Ngoyi became president of the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League.

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Lawyer, ANC member, SACP member, MK Commander in Chief, 1956 Treason Trialist, Robben Island prisoner, Nobel Peace Prize winner and first elected President of a democratic South Africa.^[4] Prisoner (1964-1990). President of South Africa.

Constitution Hill Map

The Court House