Ashley Kriel, a 20-year old South African activist, was killed by police in Cape Town on 9 July 1987 for his role in advocating anti-apartheid actions. In 1999, Jeffrey Benzien was granted an amnesty by the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission for his part in the killing.

On his release from prison in February 1990, Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...

acknowledged Ashley Kriel's sacrifice for the freedom struggle.

In his memory, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and the University of the Western Cape created the annual Ashley Kriel Memorial Youth Lecture to highlight youth leadership challenges throughout the country.