Nelson Mandela’s 1962 Movements in Botswana

Abstract

In January 1962 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela left South Africa for the first time when he crossed into Bo
tswana, then still the British administered Bechuanaland Protectorate (BP), at the Pioneer Border Gate
near Lobatse. After spending a week in Peleng Township hiding from the South African Police (SAP) he
departed by air from Lobatse airstrip for Dar-es-Salaam. Five months later, on the evening of 23 July 1862,
Mandela returned to Botswana, landing by plane in Kanye. Having only briefly stopped at Peleng, Man
dela crossed the border back into South Africa, arriving at the secret African National Congress (ANC)
headquarters at Liliesleaf farm, Rivonia on the morning of 24 July 1962.