In July 1967, Chief Albert Luthuli, a man celebrated as Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner and a leader in the fight against South Africa’s apartheid system, died in a strange and tragic way. He was struck by a train near his home in Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal. The authorities called it an accident, but many, including his family and fellow activists, have never believed this story. Now, after 57 years, South Africa’s government is reopening the case to find out the truth.
South Africa Under Colonial Rule
To understand Luthuli’s life and struggles, we need to look at the harsh world he was born into in 1898. South Africa had been under colonial rule for almost 250 years, first by the Dutch and later by the British. These foreign powers were drawn to the country by its incredible wealth in diamonds and gold.
Miners stand by two mine cars on their track at one of the De Beers mines, Kimberley, South Africa, early 20th Century. © FPG / Getty Images
In the late 19th c...
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