Description

Nelson Mandela Signed “The Harbour” Lithograph Robben Island Series 1

Gorgeous Nelson Mandela Signed “The Harbour” Lithograph Robben Island Series 1. Measures 50 cm x 65 cm and limited numbered 56/500.

This sketch depicts a view of Robben Island where new prisoners would first set foot on the island. Nelson Mandela made a decision to highlight the ocean and landing stage in colour; two elements which clearly have significant symbolism in his interpretation. Prisoners would be stripped and searched on arrival and changed into prison clothes removing all signs of external personal identity. The landing stage would be their first contact with the prison island and the sea their last contact with freedom.

Bio

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.

Mandela was born to the Thembu royal family in Mvezo, Union of South Africa. He studied law at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand before working as a lawyer in Johannesburg. Also, there he became involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics; joining the ANC in 1943 and co-founding its Youth League in 1944. Then again, after the National Party’s white-only government established apartheid, a system of racial segregation that privileged whites; he and the ANC committed themselves to its overthrow. Mandela appointed President of the ANC’s Transvaal branch, rising to prominence for his involvement in the 1952 Defiance Campaign and the 1955 Congress of the People. Repeatedly arrested for seditious activities and unsuccessfully prosecuted in the 1956 Treason Trial.

Although initially committed to non-violent protest; in association with the SACP he co-founded the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961 and led a sabotage campaign against the government. Arrested and imprisoned in 1962; and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state following the Rivonia Trial.

Prison

Furthermore, Mandela served 27 years in prison, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison. Amid growing domestic and international pressure, and with fears of a racial civil war, President F. W. de Klerkreleased him in 1990. Mandela signed and de Klerk led efforts to negotiate an end to apartheid, which resulted in the 1994 multiracial general election in which Mandela led the ANC to victory and became president. In addition, leading a broad coalition government which promulgated a new constitution, Mandela emphasised reconciliation; between the country’s racial groups and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rightsabuses. Internationally, acted as mediator in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial and served as Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.

Declined a second presidential term, and in 1999 succeeded by his deputy, Thabo Mbeki. Moreover, Nelson Mandela Signed “The Harbour” Lithograph became an elder statesman and focused on combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the charitable Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Also, Mandela a controversial figure for much of his life. Although critics on the right denounced him as a communist terrorist; and those on the far-left deemed him too eager to negotiate and reconcile with apartheid’s supporters; gained international acclaim for his activism. Widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice, he received more than 250 honours—including the Nobel Peace Prize—and became the subject of a cult of personality. Additionally, held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the “Father of the Nation”.