Nearly 32 years after defending himself in apartheid-era treason trials, Nelson Mandela returned to the witness box for one of the most personal moments of his life, his 1996 divorce from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The hearing offered an intimate glimpse into the character of South Africa's first democratic president as he balanced honesty with dignity, refusing to humiliate his former wife despite intense questioning. The proceedings became a constitutional and legal landmark, setting important precedents on public access to divorce hearings involving public figures. Adrian Hadland's account captures the humanity, restraint and quiet leadership Mandela displayed during one of his most painful public moments.
March 24, 1996
The courtroom is no strange place for Nelson Mandela. Over the years, key moments not only in his life but also in the life of the nation have been played out before the thin wood veneers, flickering strip lighting, black gowns and
broken clocks that still adorn the halls of justice.
But it is almost 32 years since the Black Pimpernel, then outlaw and revolutionary, was last in the witness box. His performances then and now have always been compelling.
