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The Trial of Nelson Mandela (Rivonia Trial): Transcript Excerpts

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Lillieleaf farm (Rivonia)

Trial transcript excerpts on this page are taken primarily from two sources:
Joel Joffe, The State vs. Nelson Mandela: The Trial That Changed South Africa (1965)
and Lauritz Strydom, Rivonia Unmasked! (1965).

Prosecution Case

Opening Statement by Percy Yutar
Bruno Mtolo, saboteur
Cyril Davids

Defense Case

Opening Statement by Bram Fischer
Nelson Mandela, defendant (statement from the dock)
Walter Sisulu, defendant
Ahmed Mohammed Kathrada, defendant
Raymond Mhlaba, defendant
Lionel Bernstein, defendant
Govan Mbeki, defendant
Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni, defendants (statements from the dock)

Closing Statements

Percy Yutar, for the government
Arthur Chaskalson, for the defense

Witness in Mitigation of Sentence

Alan Paton

Home  Trial Account

Other Resources

  • The Nelson Mandela (Rivonia) Trial: An Account
  • The Trial of Nelson Mandela (Rivonia Trial): A Chronology
  • The Trial of Nelson Mandela (Rivonia Trial): Images
  • The Trial of Nelson Mandela: Maps
  • The Indictment
  • The Accused: "The Rivonia 11"
  • Operation Mayibuye
  • The Trial of Nelson Mandela (Rivonia Trial): Transcript Excerpts
  • "I Am Prepared To Die"
  • Selected Prosecution Exhibits in the Nelson Mandela (Rivonia) Trial
  • Behind the Scenes: International Pressure on South Africa to Not Execute Nelson Mandela and Other Rivonia Defendants
  • Sentencing Statement of Justice Quartus de Wet in the Rivonia Trial
  • The Trial of Nelson Mandela (Rivonia Trial): Bibliography and Selected Links
Copyright © 1995 - 2026 Professor Douglas O. Linder
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