Nelson's Column may be a familiar London landmark, but have you ever taken a close look at the bronze reliefs? Nelson led a force of around 18,000 sailors against France and Spain in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and one shows a Black sailor guarding the wounded Vice-Admiral. Evidence from muster rolls, which detail every man on the ships during the battle, shows that 18 were born in Africa and another 123 in the West Indies. The relief was added in 1849, over 40 years after the battle, and i

On this day in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in prison, following the unbanning of the ANC and other liberation movements. His release stands as a reminder of the ANC’s consistent pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution and its unwavering commitment to the pursuit of a better life for all. Video credit: SABC | MyANC