Escape from Pretoria (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

They were arrested for producing and distributing 18 different pamphlets on behalf of banned organizations, specifically the ANC. Their political activism against apartheid was considered a threat to national security by the apartheid regime, which sought to make examples of white South Africans who supported anti-apartheid causes.

Foreshadowing: Their political awakening began during college when they witnessed the harsh realities of apartheid.

• tim jenkin
• stephen lee
• arrest
• apartheid
• anc
• pamphlets

Jenkin concealed 360 Rand within a cigar capsule, cleverly hiding the money inside the cigar itself to get it past prison security. This money became crucial funding for their escape operation.

Foreshadowing: Their resourcefulness in smuggling money foreshadowed the creative methods they would use to craft escape tools.

• smuggle money
• cigar capsule
• 360 rand
• prison security

After 74 days of careful observation, Jenkin studied the prison locks and keys during brief moments of distraction. He measured the locks and used improvisation to craft a working key that could open the prison doors.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows this breakthrough occurred on the 74th day of their imprisonment, marking a critical turning point.

• create key
• 74 days
• locks
• tim jenkin
• escape tools

Goldberg, who was serving four life sentences for his anti-apartheid activities, believed escape was virtually impossible. He warned that Pretoria Central Prison was a fortress with towering walls, barbed wire, heavily fortified gates, and an electric-controlled final exit.

Foreshadowing: Goldberg's experience as a seasoned political prisoner gave him insight into the prison's formidable security.

• denis goldberg
• advice
• fortress
• security
• pretoria prison

Captain Schnepel disrupted a visit for fellow inmate Leonard Fontaine, raising alarms about whether their escape plans had been discovered. This incident increased paranoia and tension among the escapees, as they worried their timeline was缩短ing.

Foreshadowing: This event heightened the urgency of their escape, pushing them to accelerate their plans.

• captain schnepel
• leonard fontaine
• tension
• discovery
• manhunt

After nearly a year of meticulous planning, Jenkin, Lee, and Leonard used their improvised tools to break through the final door separating them from freedom. They slipped past the guards under the cover of night and made their way into the public streets of Pretoria.

Foreshadowing: This moment was the culmination of months of testing escape strategies during nighttime hours.

• escape
• final door
• guards
• pretoria
• freedom
• 1980

Their escape triggered a massive manhunt by the South African government. Jenkin and Lee fled the country and eventually reached London, where they lived as fugitives until they received their pardon in 1991.

Foreshadowing: The manhunt demonstrates the seriousness with which the apartheid regime treated political dissent.

• manhunt
• london
• fugitive
• pardon
• escape

Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee received their pardon in 1991, ending their life as fugitives. Their pardon coincided with significant political changes in South Africa as the country moved toward democracy.

Foreshadowing: This pardon came years after their dramatic escape and represented a major turning point in their lives.

• pardon
• 1991
• tim jenkin
• stephen lee
• london

Denis Goldberg remained in prison and was not part of the escape. He was released in 1985 after serving 22 years behind bars for his anti-apartheid activities, having been sentenced to four life sentences.

Foreshadowing: Goldberg's longer sentence reflected his more prominent role in the anti-apartheid movement.

• denis goldberg
• release
• 1985
• 22 years
• life sentence

Nelson Mandela's election as president in 1994 symbolizes the ultimate victory of the anti-apartheid movement that Jenkin, Lee, Goldberg, and countless others fought for. It represents the dawn of a new era for South Africa and validates their sacrifices.

Foreshadowing: This political transformation directly resulted from the movement they supported while imprisoned.

• nelson mandela
• president
• 1994
• victory
• apartheid
• democracy

Realizing they needed additional manpower to increase their chances of success, Jenkin and Lee began recruiting other prisoners to assist with the escape. This bold move enhanced their capabilities but also added complexity and risk to their operation.

Foreshadowing: Recruiting more prisoners happened shortly before the actual escape attempt.

• recruit
• inmates
• manpower
• escape plan
• teamwork

The entire escape operation took nearly a year from the time Jenkin and Lee were imprisoned in 1979 until their successful escape in 1980. During this time, they faced numerous setbacks, near-captures, and constant threats of discovery.

Foreshadowing: The steady pacing of their planning reflected the meticulous nature of their operation.

• planning
• year
• 1979
• 1980
• timeline
• persistence