Great Lives

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Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Matthew Parris

Nick Stadlen

Great Lives: Nick Stadlen on Bram Fischer

Nick Stadlen on Bram Fischer

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Nick Stadlen on Bram Fischer

Nick Stadlen champions the life of the Afrikaner Revolutionary Bram Fischer.

Sir Nick Stadlen and Joel Joffe nominate Nelson Mandela’s trial defender, Bram Fischer. With Matthew Parris. From 2015.

This week's Great Life might have become an Afrikaner Nationalist Prime Minister of apartheid South Africa, but instead became its most prominent white opponent. A formidable advocate, he led the defence of Nelson Mandela in the Rivonia Trial.  It is no exaggeration to say Bram Fischer saved Mandela's life, and it is said Mandela would have made him his vice-president, had he lived to see Mandela's release. He's nominated by former English High Court Judge Sir Nick Stadlen along with Lord Joffe. 

Presenter Matthew Parris. 

Producer Perminder Khatkar.  

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.

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