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In Johannesburg Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #60)

The Nelson Mandela Foundation

The Nelson Mandela Foundation
Johannesburg, South Africa

Chapter 3 of the unpublished autobiography written on Robben Island. It covers the period when he arrives in Johannesburg until he meets Walter Sisulu and Gaur Radebe and joins the African National Congress

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  • Title: In Johannesburg Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #60)
  • Date: 1976
  • Date Created: 1976
  • Transcript:
    otherwise, to the deceased and the living to honour arrangements based on good faith and mutual trust? The blood and the brain kept on clashing endlessly. Every time this conflict arose, I prefered to postpone the decision indefinately. After all I was only twenty four when the Regent died and not yet in a position to make such crucial decisions so I reasoned. There would be time enough for such matters some day to come, and I turned my mind to preparing for my return to Johannesburg. The death of the Regent meant new responsibilities for Justice and he could no longer run around freely like me. He had to succeed the Regent as Chief of Mqhekezweni. Besides Sabata was still a minor and another Regent had to be appointed to act for him. Both tasks required Justice's presence at home. In the circumstances I returned to Johannesburg alone and left him behind. I was unable to attend his installation as Chief nor that of his uncle, Chief Dabulamanzi as the new Regent. I continued struggling in Johannesburg until the end of 1942 when I wrote and passed the final examination for the B.A. degree. As soon as the results were published I started my apprenticeship as an attorney. Dr. Kerr, the principal of Fort Hare, gave me an excellent testimonial which facilitated my acceptance as an articled clerk. As far as I can remember, there were only three African attorneys in South Africa at the time, all of whom were practicing in Johannesburg. The following year I enrolled for the L.L.B. degree at the white university of Witswatersrand. Early in 1943 I went down to Fort Hare for the graduation ceremony. Walter Sisulu and his business colleagues bought me a new suit for the occasion and Randall Phetheni lent me the academic dress. Daliwonga brought my mother and sister in law, No england, all the way from the Transkei to Fort
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  • Type: Book
  • Reference code: chapter 3, 60
  • Extent and Medium: pages 45 to 70, 1 page
  • Collection: Unpublished autobiographical manuscript
The Nelson Mandela Foundation

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