Mandela saviour was humble and courageous

RECENTLY I posted a letter from Abram Fischer, QC, for the attention of the National Archivist of South Africa. I also included my correspondence about Abram Fischer which was published by the editor of a national newspaper on the day this brave South African human rights campaigner was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Abram was the Chief Advocate during the trial of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused allies in the infamous Rivonia Trial. The state chief prosecutor demanded the death penalty for all of them. It is generally recognised that, due to the brilliant defence of Abram, the death penalty was not handed down by the judge.

Abram was hated and despised by South African white Afrikaners because he was descended from the highest Afrikaner stock. He was the grandson of a former president of the Boer Orange Free State.

Worldwide, Mr Mandela is admired for his opposition to ‘apartheid’ in South Africa. However, few are familiar with the name of Abram Fischer, who saved the lives of Mandela and his co-accused.

On a visit to Mandela on Robben Island to discuss his appeal, Abram was asked about his wife Molly and he did not have the heart to say that she had been killed in a road accident a few days before.

Abram was brought to trial two years after the Rivonia Trial and sentenced to life imprisonment. His fellow Afrikaners exacted their full revenge on him.

I was so moved by the heroism of Abram that I wrote to him. My letter reached him in Pretoria Prison while he was awaiting sentencing. He replied on April 28, 1966, and I was surprised that his letter was allowed by the prison governor.

In my letter I had praised him for his courage and self-sacrifice. He replied that ‘I shall need this courage in the years that lie ahead. I have just seen my daughter possibly for the last time. For you in Britain I would say the main task is to prevent the betrayal of the cause of freedom and justice for all.’

There was no compassion for Abram. This quiet and humble champion of human rights was made to serve out his entire life sentence, even though he developed cancer in prison.

Saros Kavina, Derby

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