Statecraft & Independence
Peerless
Bram Fischer
1908 – 1975
Led the Rivonia defence, then went to prison himself
Peerless is level 1 of 4 in the South Africa Hall of Fame: changed the field itself. Tell the country's story without them and the story breaks. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
An Afrikaner from the heart of the establishment who led the defence at Rivonia and saved Mandela and Sisulu from hanging — then was sentenced to life himself for the same cause.
Bram Fischer was a South African communist lawyer of Afrikaner descent, known for his anti-apartheid activism and for defending Nelson Mandela and his co-accused at the Rivonia Trial.
His conduct of that defence saved Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and the other defendants from the gallows. He was later tried himself, convicted of furthering communism, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
His conduct of that defence saved Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and the other defendants from the gallows. He was later tried himself, convicted of furthering communism, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Wikipedia — Bram Fischer
- Nelson Mandela Foundation — Bram Fischer: a hero born 100 years ago
- The Cairo Review — Bram Fischer's legacy
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