No Easy Walk to Freedom

This classic collection of Nelson Mandela’s articles, speeches, letters from underground and the transcripts from his trials was first published in 1965. Overnight, No Easy Walk to Freedom became an indispensable guide to the political thoughts of a man who was to become one of the twentieth century’s greatest statesmen. Twenty years into South Africa’s democracy, Mandela’s voice is greatly missed. Now in a new edition, No Easy Walk to Freedom is not only a vital historical document but also offers us the opportunity to re-engage with Mandela’s thinking on issues such as nationalisation, the independence of the judiciary, land redistribution, the need for a strong constitution and the role of the strike in political discourse.

In this account, readers will encounter a more militant Mandela than they may remember, but a Mandela no less sure-footed in his arguments or in any way less politically astute. Part of his genius was to find a way to listen to the views of all sides before constructing a solution that was the best possible outcome for society as a whole – rather than privileging one group over another. This pragmatism brought about one of the most miraculous political transformations the world has ever seen. With an introduction by political commentator William Gumede and the original foreword by Oliver Tambo.