South Africa: Overcoming Apartheid

Interview Segment

Lettie Malindi interviewed by Ruendree Govinder
May 23, 2005 Cape Town, South Africa.


"They said I'm the ring leader and I will stay in jail until my head is straight." [1:44]

Lettie Malindi was found innocent of the charge against her, with support of her lawyer, Albie Sachs.

Lettie Malindi’s parents were active in the ANC in the Eastern Cape from its founding in 1912. In 1958, the ANC branch in Athlone (part of Cape Town) asked for volunteers to interpret in the Black Sash Advice Office. Malindi worked in the Advice Office for 28 years, volunteering five days a week for one year before the Black Sash began to pay her. She was charged under the Riotous Assemblies Act for leading a protest against the pass laws, but was acquitted. She spent five months in detention in Bindon Prison Farm.

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