COAL SHED STORY

The coal shed is where Nelson Mandela’s documents were stored by Arthur Goldreich following Mandela’s 5-year sentence. Through his lawyers, Bob Hepple and Joe Slovo, Mandela conveyed a message that his documents be destroyed but Arthur and Ruth First felt that those documents were too important to be destroyed and hence were kept in the shed. One of the things uncovered were Mandela’s documents after the police raid on the 11 July 1963

4 PILLARS OF THE STRUGLE

When the likes of Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo and other militant comrades decided to take up arms, they needed to firstly mobilize the support of individuals such Chief Luthuli and others to consider the armed struggle. Eventually, they were able to get the necessary support while underground. In early 1961, Mandela went on a mission and joined by Tambo to garner international support.

Oliver Tambo who had left South Africa in the 60’s on an international mission established the first consultative conference where the 4 pillars were identified to help end the oppressive apartheid system. The pillars consist of underground organization, armed struggle, mass mobilization and international isolation.