FREE ex Roeland Street Jail inmates’ talk
March 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Free
Retired judge Albie Sachs, Mr James April, and Adv Joel Krige share their memories of being imprisoned at Roeland Street jail because of their anti-apartheid protests. Author, activist and journalist, Dr Zubeida Jaffer, is the moderator.
This unique event is free to join online. It is aptly is the day before South Africa’s Human Rights public holiday.
Albie Sachs was a freedom fighter, prisoner and advocate during Aparthied. On 30 January 2025 he celebrated his 90th birthday and the launch of the online Albie Collection ‘stories, insights, inspirations, reflections and records from the life, love, law, literature and laughter of Albie Sachs, and by Albie Sachs’.
James April, now in his mid 80s, was first arrested in 1962 for painting anti-government slogans and was held in Roeland Street Prison. Later he was advised by his lawyer, Albie Sachs, to remain in prison and not go into exile, as this would dampen people’s morale.
Joël Krige was arrested for anti-apartheid protesting when he was a University of Cape Town student. He was called to the Bar in 1984. Pre democracy Joël took on cases involving land claims and administrative reviews for dispossession of communities. He is a published poet.
Date: Thursday 20 March 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 including time for questions
Venue: online via MS Teams. Click here for link Remembering Roeland Street Prison
To be on the safe side, I recommend emailing for the link: Helen.Joannides@westerncape.gov.za
Some of you will know Helen from her Culture Connect tours of the Western Cape Archives and Records Service, 72 Roeland Street, Cape Town. She is leading this event being responsible for outreach and special projects here.
Human Rights Day reminds us of the 69 people killed and 180 wounded on 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville when Police fired on a peaceful crowd protesting against the Pass laws. Join this free event to hear first hand what it was like living in South Africa at the time and fighting against the Nationalist government ie Apartheid.
