Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) mourns the passing of Nicholas Wolpe, founder and CEO of the Liliesleaf Trust. Wolpe was the son of Harold Wolpe and AnnMarie Wolpe, whose Rivonia farm, Liliesleaf, provided a safe haven for ANC activists, including President Nelson Mandela, during the 1960’s.

As a movement and leader of society, we lower our revolutionary banners to honour the finest among us. As we bid farewell, we reaffirm our commitment to the foundational values of fighting for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic society.

Born into a family of courageous anti-apartheid activists, Nicholas Wolpe embodied the bravery that defined his lineage. On 11 July 1963, apartheid police raided Liliesleaf Farm, leading to the arrest of his father, Harold Wolpe, a high-ranking member of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the ANC’s military wing. The raid also saw the capture of the MK high command, including Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi, Andrew Mlangeni, and Raymond Mhlaba, who were later sentenced to life imprisonment, ushering in a new epoch in the struggle against apartheid. Harold Wolpe subsequently escaped from police custody and went into exile, leaving behind his young son, Nicholas.

The raid culminated in the sensational Rivonia Trial from October 1963 to June 1964 – a defining moment in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Liliesleaf Farm, a place of profound significance in our struggle, served as a sanctuary and operational base for the underground movement in the 1960s. It was here that leaders such as Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Govan Mbeki found refuge. The farm’s acquisition by Harold Wolpe and Arthur Goldreich, with funds from the underground South African Communist Party (SACP), transformed it into the nerve center of our liberation struggle.

After the end of apartheid, Nicholas Wolpe returned to South Africa and became deeply interested in Liliesleaf’s history. He dedicated over 20 years to transforming the site into an interactive museum and national heritage site, ensuring that the memory of our struggle is preserved for future generations. His

tireless efforts were not only recognized locally but also internationally, including a Knighthood by the King of Sweden in 2017, a testament to the global impact of his work.

The ANC, with heavy hearts, extends our deepest condolences to the Wolpe family. We express our profound gratitude for Nicholas Wolpe’s unwavering dedication, commitment, and selflessness in preserving this pivotal heritage of our struggle. The ANC pays tribute to the Wolpe family’s enduring legacy in the fight for South Africa’s freedom.