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Upington
A story of personal and political transformation, this book is a revealing history of South Africa on the eve of Mandela's release, and the personal story of one woman who paid a high price for her commitment to social justice. In 1985, Andrea Durbach was appointed attorney for the Upington 25, a group of blacks from the Paballelo township arrested for the murder of a local policeman. Fourteen of the defendants were sentenced to death, and for four ensuing years she and barrister Anton Lubowski fought to secure their freedom. While preparing to appeal the verdict, Lubowski was assassinated by forces later linked to the apartheid regime, and Andrea Durbach was forced to flee her homeland. A refugee, separated from her family and cut off from the fight against apartheid, Durbach had to rebuild her life and come to terms with her South African past. In 1991, she returned to South Africa and won the Upington case on appeal, thus securing freedom for all of the accused.
- GenresHistory
267 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 2, 2026
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear robes.
Upington by Andrea Durbach is a powerful and deeply humane account of one of Apartheid South Africa’s most troubling legal cases. It is an exploration of not only the events of the “Upington 25” trial but also the broader machinery of injustice that made such a case possible. Through personal insight and first hand experience, Durbach exposes how the legal system was used to suppress and oppress vulnerable communities, while also highlighting the courage of those who resisted it.
At its core, this is a story of resilience in the face of a system stacked against the vulnerable, where a group of committed legal minds step forward not just as professionals, but as advocates for justice. They challenge not only the legal arguments presented in court, but the very structures that uphold inequality, navigating immense political pressure and personal risk.It is a testament to the power of individuals who, even within a flawed system, choose to fight for fairness, dignity, and truth, refusing to accept injustice as inevitable.
Durbach masterfully balances rigorous legal insight with emotional depth, restoring dignity and individuality to those at the heart of the “Upington 25” case. She goes beyond simply outlining the legal arguments, carefully unpacking the broader political and social context that shaped the trial, allowing readers to fully grasp both its significance and its injustice. Durbach’s voice is both authoritative and compassionate, and her firsthand experience adds depth and authenticity that few others could achieve
Her writing is clear, measured, and evocative, guiding the reader through complex legal doctrines with precision while never losing sight of the human stories beneath them. Through detailed characterisation and thoughtful reflection, she ensures that those involved are not reduced to case numbers or legal abstractions, but are instead seen as individuals with lives, families, and futures profoundly affected by the system they were caught in.
Ultimately, this is not just a story about a trial, but a reflection on the fragility of justice itself and the people who choose, against the odds, to defend it. It highlights how easily justice can be distorted when power goes unchecked, and how vital it is for individuals to challenge those distortions, even when the personal cost is high. In doing so, it reminds us that justice is not a fixed ideal, but something that must be continually fought for, protected, and reimagined by those willing to stand up for what is right.
Upington by Andrea Durbach is a powerful and deeply humane account of one of Apartheid South Africa’s most troubling legal cases. It is an exploration of not only the events of the “Upington 25” trial but also the broader machinery of injustice that made such a case possible. Through personal insight and first hand experience, Durbach exposes how the legal system was used to suppress and oppress vulnerable communities, while also highlighting the courage of those who resisted it.
At its core, this is a story of resilience in the face of a system stacked against the vulnerable, where a group of committed legal minds step forward not just as professionals, but as advocates for justice. They challenge not only the legal arguments presented in court, but the very structures that uphold inequality, navigating immense political pressure and personal risk.It is a testament to the power of individuals who, even within a flawed system, choose to fight for fairness, dignity, and truth, refusing to accept injustice as inevitable.
Durbach masterfully balances rigorous legal insight with emotional depth, restoring dignity and individuality to those at the heart of the “Upington 25” case. She goes beyond simply outlining the legal arguments, carefully unpacking the broader political and social context that shaped the trial, allowing readers to fully grasp both its significance and its injustice. Durbach’s voice is both authoritative and compassionate, and her firsthand experience adds depth and authenticity that few others could achieve
Her writing is clear, measured, and evocative, guiding the reader through complex legal doctrines with precision while never losing sight of the human stories beneath them. Through detailed characterisation and thoughtful reflection, she ensures that those involved are not reduced to case numbers or legal abstractions, but are instead seen as individuals with lives, families, and futures profoundly affected by the system they were caught in.
Ultimately, this is not just a story about a trial, but a reflection on the fragility of justice itself and the people who choose, against the odds, to defend it. It highlights how easily justice can be distorted when power goes unchecked, and how vital it is for individuals to challenge those distortions, even when the personal cost is high. In doing so, it reminds us that justice is not a fixed ideal, but something that must be continually fought for, protected, and reimagined by those willing to stand up for what is right.
January 1, 2022
Look, this book covers important historical (legal) ground and was written in the late 90's.
But even affording it that grace it takes some cajones of the not good kind for the author to write about herself, "I was not sure if they could see us and I shouted, 'Upington 25'. In return came a call 'Amandla, Andy our mother of the nation.'" 😲
Also the author writes about herself aged NINE, describing hearing the news of Hendrik Verwoerd's assassination thusly, "I knew Verwoerd's death would not bring about change but only angry heals digging in." Cool.
But even affording it that grace it takes some cajones of the not good kind for the author to write about herself, "I was not sure if they could see us and I shouted, 'Upington 25'. In return came a call 'Amandla, Andy our mother of the nation.'" 😲
Also the author writes about herself aged NINE, describing hearing the news of Hendrik Verwoerd's assassination thusly, "I knew Verwoerd's death would not bring about change but only angry heals digging in." Cool.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews