On January 25, 1980, three young anti-apartheid activists from the African National Congress (ANC)’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), changed the course of South African history.

Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo, and Wilfred Madela, collectively known as the “Silverton Trio,” carried out a daring hostage-taking at a bank in Silverton, Pretoria, in a desperate bid to draw attention to the plight of Nelson Mandela and the broader anti-apartheid struggle.

The trio were reportedly on their way to sabotage a fuel depot as part of the MK’s campaign against the oppressive white minority government when they realized they were being followed by the police. In a split-second decision, they sought refuge in the Volkskas Bank, taking 25 people hostage.

During the six-hour standoff, the Silverton Trio made a series of demands, including the release of Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned since 1963 for his role in the anti-apartheid movement. They also requested a meeting with the South African president, a large sum of money, and safe passage to Maputo, Mozambique.

Though the siege was ultimately brought to a violent end, with all three MK members killed by the police, their actions had a profound impact.

The “Free Mandela” chant they started during the hostage crisis sparked a global movement that ultimately led to Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 and the dismantling of the apartheid system.

Filmmaker Mandla Dube, who directed the Netflix film “Silverton Siege” based on these events, believes the trio’s sacrifice and bravery deserve to be celebrated. “Young people need to realize where they come from and that their stories matter deeply,” Dube said. “The hope is that filmmakers from Africa are given more opportunities at decolonizing the narrative of who we are.”

The Silverton Siege was a watershed moment in South African history, a desperate act of defiance that ignited the global campaign to free Nelson Mandela and end the apartheid regime. Though the Silverton Trio paid the ultimate price, their legacy lives on as a testament to the power of courage, sacrifice, and the unwavering pursuit of freedom.