These are eight South African heroes who stood by our nation fighting for forgiveness and peace so that black and white people can unite as one nation without racism. This is the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC)

1.Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th of July in 1918 at Mvezo Location in Mthatha. His people called him as the father of the nation, a hero and a fighter. He was anti-apartheid revolutionary, a political leader and a philanthropist who also serve as a President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black person to rule the country and a head of state. He's also the first elected representative for the democratic election. He dadicated his life fighting for equality and justice in South Africa.

Before he became a President in 1994.

Mandela was arrested in on the 11th of July in 1963, when the security police raided Liliesleaf Farm which was the ANC's underground headquarters after the movement was banned in April 1960, under the Unlawful Organization Act. At that raid scores of ANC leadership members and their Society UMkhonto weSizwe commanders apprehended, there were large number of documents of ANC that were confiscated. He was found guilty after he attended his trial on the 11th of June in 1964. After that, he then was imprisoned for 27 years in Robben Island and was released on the 11th of February in 1990. On the 27th of April in 1994, the first elections had taken place where he became the first black President.

2. Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu

Walter Sisulu was born on the 18th of May 1912 in Ngcobo and died on 5th of May 2003 in Johannesburg. He was an anti-apartheid activist and a member of the African National Congress, serving at times as a Secretary- General and a Deputy President of the organization. He served his treason sentence in Robben Island and served for 26 years in prison. He was released on the 15th of October in 1989.

3.Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada

Ahmed Kathrada was born on the 21st of August in 1929 in Schweizer-Reneke. God took him away on the 28th of March in 2017. He was arrested along side with our former president Nelson Mandela on the 11th of July in 1963 by the Apartheid government for treason. He spent 26 years of his life in both Pollsmoor and Robben Island. He was released on the 15th of October 1989. Kathrada authored a book "No Bread for Mandela".

4. Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba

Raymond Mhlaba was an anti Apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress. He also was in office as the first premier of the Eastern Cape. He spent 26 years of his life in prison as he was arrested on the 11th of July 1963 and was released on the 15th of October 1989. He left this world on the 20th of February 2005. He was a very influential member of the ANC leadership.

5. Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki

Govan Mbeki was a South African politician and a son of Chief Sikelewu Mbeki and Johanna Mahala. He is the father of the former South African President Thabo Mbeki and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki. He was a leader of the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress. He spent 24 years of his life in prison. He was released by the Apartheid government on the 5th of November in 1987. RIP Oom Gov.

6. Andrew Mokete Mlangeni

Andrew Mlangeni was born on the 6th of June in 1925. He was a political activist of South Africa. Mlangeni was called by God on the 21st of July in 2020. Andrew is the last one to pass amongst his friends. He was arrested along with Nelson Mandela on the 11th of July in 1963 due to an accusation of treason in the Rivonia Trial. He was also sentenced to life and spent 26 years of his life in prison. This hero was a close friend of Nelson Mandela that is why he could not hold his gut and gave a speech in Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

7.Denis Theodore Goldberg

Denis Goldberg was a South African social campaigner who was very active in the struggle against Apartheid. He was accused number 3 in the Rivonia Trial, alongside Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu. He was the youngest of the dependants. This white hero was Imprisoned for 22 years. Goldberg was arrested on the 11th of July 1963 and was released on the 28th of February 1985. Since he is a white person, races could not be mixed as he was not arrested in Robben Island like other Activists. He was taken to Pretoria and spent his prison sentence there. Denis is the founder of the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation Trust in 2015.

8. Elias Mathope Motsoaledi

Elias Motsoaledi was born on the 26th of July in 1924 in the Limpopo province. This was an anti-apartheid activist hero. He was arrested in the same place and time during a meeting with the above mentioned heros in the ANC underground headquarters in Joburg. He did a lot for ANC and he played a very important role in the establishment of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (COSATU). This leader spent 26 years in Robben Island and was released on the 15th of October 1989. He kicked the bucket on the 9th of May 1994 a day before Nelson Mandela was declared the president of South Africa.

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