The Presidential Years

As I studied in prison for two law degrees, I came from time to time upon the judgements of Michael Corbett. Their incisiveness reminded me of my earlier encounter with him. So did his dissent in 1979 in the case brought against the Minister of Prisons by my co-accused in the Rivonia trial, Dennis Goldberg. Alone of the five Judges of Appeal, Michael Corbett held that the prison authorities were not entitled to apply to policy depriving prisoners of all access to news. ...

It is to such actions by good men and women, like Michael Corbett, in every part of our society and of every political persuasion, that we owe our successful transition to democracy. One of the strengths of the new nation which we are building is that, by removing the causes of tension and conflict, it creates the space for such people to emerge and play their rightful role. It is in such conditions that the best that is in all of us can flourish. These are the circumstances that are producing a new generation of leaders for a prosperous and just society, at peace with itself.