Previous
Jongintaba
Chief Albert Luthuli is a lifelong anti-apartheid activist who becomes president of the ANC and is an ally of Mandela’s. In general, Luthuli represents what began as the more radical and activist side of the party and which eventually became a more mainstream position. The one issue where Luthuli differs with Mandela is on violence—Luthuli is reluctant to give up on nonviolent tactics, although he does ultimately allow others in the ANC to use violence. He is a formative figure in shaping Mandela’s own politics, and his death while Mandela is in prison is a great tragedy for Mandela.
Get the entire Long Walk to Freedom LitChart as a printable PDF.
Chief Albert Luthuli Character Timeline in Long Walk to Freedom
The timeline below shows where the character Chief Albert Luthuli appears in Long Walk to Freedom. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 15
At 1952’s annual ANC conference, Chief Albert Luthuli takes over, poised to lead in a more activist direction. Mandela supports him but after...
(full context)
Chapter 20
...holding a convention called the Council of the Congress of the People chaired by Chief Luthuli. The convention is not just for Black African people, but for all residents of South...
(full context)
Chapter 25
...year, until suddenly in September, the state drops charges against several of the defendants, including Luthuli and Tambo, although not Mandela. Thirteen months after the start of the trial, the magistrate...
(full context)
Chapter 33
...fled. The UN Security Council finally takes notice and blames the South African government. Mandela, Luthuli, and others in the ANC organize a massive protest on March 28. It’s so large...
(full context)
Chapter 35
Mandela is outraged to learn that Luthuli has been assaulted during his time in jail. Meanwhile, one of Mandela’s allies who’s also...
(full context)
Chapter 41
...the protest ends up being one of the most successful yet. At a meeting with Luthuli, Mandela argues that the state has left activists with no choice but violence, and Luthuli...
(full context)
Chapter 45
...worries that some are no longer performing their ANC duties. In December, Mandela hears that Luthuli has won a Nobel Peace Prize. Although Mandela is happy about this, he finds it...
(full context)
Chapter 69
...in other parts of Africa, with MK soldiers fighting in Rhodesia. Mandela also hears of Luthuli’s death, which leaves an even bigger leadership void. The ANC members on Robben Island form...
(full context)
