Oral history interview with Fikile C. Bam, 1999

Biographical Note

Judge

Scope and Contents

Born 1937, Transkei, South Africa; childhood: Pondoland and Johannesburg, mission schooling, awareness of race issues, influence of politically conscious teachers; education: University of Cape Town, B.A., University of South Africa, BProc, LLB; career; black lawyer promoting liberation struggle; political beliefs: African National Congress [ANC], interests in armed struggle, socialism, Unity Movement of South Africa; 1963 arrest and conviction of sabotage, ten year imprisonment on Robben Island; prison release, 1974: fear of assassination, completing law degrees; apartheid versus discrimination: control mechanisms to maintain status quo and prevent solidarity, coercive laws, Group Areas Act; Carnegie Corporation of New York [Carnegie]: participation in the Second Carnegie Inquiry into Poverty and Development in Southern Africa: links between land, law and poverty, promoting justice, research conducted by South Africans, efforts protected and depoliticized by Carnegie name, Carnegie grant to establish Centre for Applied Legal Studies [CALS]; establishment of Legal Resource Centre [LRC]: Carnegie grant, LRC advice centers, translation assistance, fellowships to train lawyers, media cooperation and support, coordination of efforts with CALS, reorganization and responsibilities after new constitution in 1994, success of former LRC colleagues; appointment as Judge-President of Land Claims Court, 1995: efforts for more effective land restoration process

Subjects

• African National Congress.
• Anti-apartheid movements--South Africa.
• Bam, Fikile C., 1937---Interviews.
• Carnegie Corporation of New York.
• Carnegie Inquiry into Poverty and Development in Southern Africa (2nd : 1984 :--Cape Town, South Africa)
• Interviews.
• Judges--South Africa--Interviews.
• Legal Resources Centre (South Africa)
• Morris, Len, interviewer.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Political prisoners--South Africa--Robben Island--Interviews.
• South Africa--Social conditions--1961-1994.
• Unity Movement of South Africa.

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