Haiti catastrophe and its lessons
This is a catastrophe of unknown proportions,not even UN has a memory or record of such a thing.I have been reading and listening to news about this for the last five days since it happened. ONE FEELS HELPLESS JUST LIKE THE HAITIAN PEOPLE DO
Worse even the helpers from other countries cant do much as there is virtually no roads,telephone,communication nor places where planes can land to distribute food,medication and other resources.
At the best of times this is a country that has no real and proper infrastructure like roads,bridges,railway lines etc.thanks to anarchy and 32 coups in the last 200 years.They are officially the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.
Believe it ,as people are trying to survive and bury their loved ones,gangs and criminals are attacking them and robbing of the little that is left of their lives,a culture that goes back more than 300 years when this place was the favourable playground of the pirates,the sea robbers who were robbing the ships of their goods and money and wealth and of course the lives of those men and women in the robbed ships.
Some may see the catastrophe as the Hand of Nature but looking back 200 or so years,with no real infrastructure like hospitals,strong buildings,houses,roads,airports etc. this earthquake happened to a most vulnerable and exposed place.The death and destruction was always going to be massive.
The fact that UN Peace Keepers in their hundreds were also victims of the earthquake(and many o them died) says a lot about the vulnerability and the chaotic nature of Haiti. Worse this earthquake hit in a highly populated area,near or in the main city where there are thousands of shaky and fragile houses and buildings.
If we can also have the same earthquake near or around Cape Town,the damage and suffering will be nor less than Haiti because of so many weak houses and shantytowns around Cape town.
This simply reinforces the idea that Human Rights go together with the conditions and the place in which they have to be applied. If the conditions are as poor as in Haiti,the chances of survival and speedy emergency rescue efforts are as slim and almost zero. To access basic medication and hospitalisation is a Human Right and not to be able to access it after a disaster like an earthquake,is horrifying and that is what the Haitians have experienced.
To my utmost disbelief the calls for international and UN intervention were as loud as the cries of people who were carrying and retrieving their dead loved ones from the debris. There were no other hospitals available other than the few that were crushed by the earthquake,there were no wails of emergency ambulances soon in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Many countries especially the nearby USA ,and the UN were ready to fly in and bring much-needed medication,food,water, and medical personnel like nurses,doctors etc but they simply could not do that as soon as possible because of lack of basic infrastructure in Haiti
Not long ago,about 18 months ago,China suffered as massive an earthquake like the one in Haiti.The loss of human life was as big but the big difference is that China was able to expedite and fasttrack emergency and rescue efforts on her own within the first 48 hours. By the time the international community came in to assist a lot had already been done and in a process.This was very crucial and we saw the same thing during the September 11 Unites States bombing situation.
In the broader scheme of things when there is no infrastructure,you can almost kiss Human Rights goodbye. Infratructure is not luxury and just for a mere existence and enjoyment and utilisation but it is also extremely crucial during desperate times like when you are hit by an earthquake,a bomb or a tsunami for that matter
By so saying one is not rubbing salt on the very deep and painful wounds of the Haitians people. To what has happened to them on that fateful Tuesday or in the last 200 years is not of their own making as such,they are basically victims of a system and set-up that has evolved over the years and so unfortunately.
MY HEART GOES TO THE HAITIAN PEOPLE,THEIR HUMAN SPIRIT WILL SEE THEM THROUGH AND SURVIVE THE CATASTROPHE and I repeat THEIR HUMAN SPIRIT WILL SEE THEM THROUGH,THEY WILL SURVIVE
Category: sipho | 2224 comments
When Sports Competition Clashes With Human Rights
Though this blogg had originally been meant for Robben Island Prison-related stories,this time around Iwill cover more other stories or opinions that have nothing to do with Robben Island Prison. But of course its all around the issues of sensitising each other and discussing Human Rights.
There has been a number of some interesting developments e.g. Obama Nobel Peace Prize etc. but I felt this time I just want to talk about the issue that has gripped my country South Africa and indeed the whole world. Its about one young lady called Caster Semenya,the current 800 metres World Athletics Champion.
This is the story or event that evoked a lot of emotions across the board,the athletes,the officials,the public in general and the politicians especially South African politicians,my comrades,were very much in DEFENCE of Caster Semenya.
WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DEFEND HER? WHAT CRIME HAD SHE COMMITTED? WHAT RULE HAD SHE BROKEN?
In this case her crime was to participate and compete as a girl at the World Athletics Championships where she won the Gold medal in 800 metre. Privately some officials did say they are not convinced that she is a girl, suggesting that she is actually a boy.Publicly some athletes especially those that had just been outrun by her said they were convinced she has an unfair advantage because she is not a girl. To try and quote the lady that came number 2 behind Caster,she said”these people(likes of Caster Semenya)must not be allowed to compete with us”.
Now this lady was decidedly very very angry,upset and felt betrayed by the authorities who allowed her to compete with a “man” and surely she felt she ran against a cheat,a man masquarading as a girl or woman.
The media in general also played a big part arousing wild emotions against Caster Semenya,especially some media source of Australia which claimed scientific tests have shown that Caster is a man.After that all hell broke loose,by the time Caster competed in the finals she was literally bood and insulted as a cheat.Even after winning she was not acknowledged by other athletes who had competed with her,not even a reluctant handshake or a hug,they detested her and showed hatred and dislike.
WHY YOU NEED A TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER ONE IS A MAN OR WOMAN? To be fair Caster does look like a man,the muscles, even the voice is deep as that of a man.BUT EVERY EVIDENCE,FROM HER CHILDHOOD TO HER SOCIAL ASSOCIATIONS SHOW SHE IS A GIRL AND HAS ALWAYS SEEN HERSELF AS A GIRL,even the degrading and embarrasing scientific tests that were done secretely without her consent or knowledge show her as having normal external private parts of a girl or woman.
The international athletics body have yet to officially and publicly announce their tests.There are issues of Human Rights here and they are indeed debatable.
Was it okay to test her without her knowing that she was being tested to check whether she is a girl or not?
These so-called secret tests allegedly discovered that whilst her external private parts are that of a woman, the internal parts are that of a man,which means she has testicles(balls) as a man,the difference is that her balls(excuse my language) are inside, they cannot be seen by a naked eye.Check the word Hemerphrodite to scientifically understand more about what is meant here.
The jury is still out because these are not yet official results but it does look like these are not being disputed as false by all parties.
The broader Human Rights issues here are a big challenge to all of us in this world.This case presents us with an oppprtunity to examine ourselves as sports bodies, sports fans and humanity in general and move forward in our quest to grant each and every one of us a Human Right in all aspects of our lives,in totality not here only and not there. To understand what I mean look at the following questions and search for answers that are consistent with Human Rights.
If the lady that came number 2 says ….THESE people should not be allowed to compete with us.. a person like Caster(and there many of them) who has external female parts and internally-based parts of a man(if these scientific tests are true) and this person has always seen herself as a girl or a woman…..Where are THESE people then supposed to compete and play?…Do they lose the Human Right to play and compete because of their unique physical condition?…Do they not have aHuman Right to decide where do they want to play and in which category do they want to compete?..Do we have a moral permission to tell them where they must play and compete and where they cannot?…Do we the right to condemn because of their own physical make up that they have no control over?..Is it a crime to have such physical condition?
These are very complex questions that our world must answer and interogate and we have to do that together with the people who are affected directly by this physicl condition. Myself I am not even sure that I am correct to call this a condition because this is not a sickness.
Ironically Caster Semenya was supposed to sit for her Sports Administration & Management Degree exams at Tuks University but she cannot because she is too stressed and traumatised about what has happened in the last few weeks.The Human Right bodies,Sports bodies and other influential structures and the public must stand up and attend to this and not throw stones on the lives and futures of our fellow human beings.
Category: Ukategorisert | 2218 comments
Discrimination Evil Wearing New Clothes
To Stiftelsen Arkivet, Save The Children, United Nations Association, Never Again, Red Cross ,Fredkorpset,ARCaid, Amnesty International and Other People of the World I wish to express my sincere disgust and shock on the killings of other Africans in
South Africa simply because they are not South Africans.
It is painful and a brutal assault on our consciences, psychological make-up and indeed on our constitution that we fought for very hard. ABOUT 42 AFRICANS HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THEIR PROPERTIES DESTROYED. RELATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FORGED FOR DECADES ARE IN TATTERS.
These are the very same people that accommodated us for decades when we were being assaulted and dehumanized by the Apartheid government. The sense of betrayal that people of
Africa and the World should feel is justified 100%.
Indeed in the public opinion of Africans and the World, we are guilty of manslaughter as South Africans. And that is it, we are indeed guilty as charged. In your pains and suffering, find space and strength to still regard South Africans as fellow human beings in this world, not xenophobic thugs.
We as South Africans must take the challenge to deal with this gross violation. I WISH TO CONVEY MY CONDOLENCES AND SINCERE APOLOGIES TO EVERYONE AFFECTED FROMSIPHO MSOMI
Category: Ukategorisert | 1939 comments
The Unsung Heroes
Usually and probably naturally, it is easier to associate the prison of Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.The simple reason is that for almost three decades he symbolised the political imprisonment of those fighting for Human Rights in South Africa.
Even myself when I was growing up and facing the reality of being on the side of the oppressed, I was always told by the elderly people, especially my grandmother, that there is this man called Mandela who is in prison who has the power,leadership qualities and charisma to lead us to Freedom.
The reality of the matter is that no matter how good was Mandela he was never going to free us by doing everything. There had to be layers and layers of capable leadership,body of people that are exceptional and brilliant leaders on their own. That is where the term”Unsung Heroes” comes in. People who did a lot of great things and sometimes simple yet very important duties and responsibilities and initiatives. Many of those people are not as well known as Nelson Mandela. Having said hat this should not in anyway mask the fact that Mandela is in another level as a leader,you get such people once in a very very long time.
There were few unsung heroes who impressed me most in prison. Nceba Faku went on to become a leader in his own and region who ended up being a Mayor in one of the biggest cities in South Africa called Port Elizabeth. We arrived at almost the same time in Robben Island prison, but there were two significant differences. He was coming to Robben Island as a prisoner for the second time,he had already served six years in that place. Second time around he was going serve more than twelve years.
His enthusiasm,discipline,maturity and a big appetite for political discussions was remarkable.He could almost carry everybody on his shoulders in our section when there were tough times and he had a great camaraderie spirit. Political prisoners were trully his family.
My group was younger than him and he made it his business that he will teach us everything that he has ever been taught by our organisation African National Congress. He was tireless.
The most crazy thing that Nceba Faku used to do in prison was to ask all prisoners in his cell to give him left-over bones on days when we were eating meat in prison. He reasoned that because there is a scarcity of meat and good diet in prison,we must eat everything, even bones. He will argue that there is a lot of nutritious value in those bones. Sometimes he will trade his meat for more bones.
The other one was Elias Motsoaledi. He actually was part of the group that was given life-imprisonment with Mandela. Streetwise,diligent,tricky,forever-hopeful that was Motsoaledi. He already had served about 20 years when Ifirst met him. The first time Imet and told him about my shorter sentence,he burst out laughing saying I must not worry, I am just here to eat breakfast,lunch and then go home.
Though I took those words without any seriousness,the more I saw him over the years so relaxed about his life jail term, it finally dawned on me that he really meant those words,do not worry it is out of your hands, learn to live comfortably with your jail term.
Motsoaledi was more interested in the simplest of things but things that make a difference. Go to Robben Island today,when you are in B section where he stayed other senior leaders like Mandela,you will find some grapes trees. At the prison hospital section there are other grapes trees. To me those trees symbolise the presence of Motsoaledi in that prison. You may not hear a lot about him from Robben Island Museum guides,perhaps not a lot written about him elsewhere but we felt his presence and benefited from his wisdom and warmth everyday.
He was not in the business of talking politics to the young ones a lot but as a streetwise and experienced man,he gave us a lot valuable lessons. All the time as he is talking, he will be busy doing his gardening which was his passion in prison.
The other one for me is Jeff Masemola. It is a tragic that this man of immense talents and wisdom should in the first place be seen as an unsung hero. He should be up there as one of Freedom icons,we should be having buildings or some roads or institutions of learning named after him. Jeff was a creative genius and an excellent handyman.
He was throughout, a student of getting more and more knowledge about everything that can make our life better in prison. This is the man who stunned the prison establishment when he made his own prison master-key.They brutally tortured him before he made the key available to the prison guards.
On summer days we always had problems with flies in the prison. Jeff being Jeff he did not just complain and mourn aabout the flies. He used his brains an invented a very sophisticated instrument that could catch flies with ease. Those in the know say his concept was later stolen by an industrial company that started producing more of the same type of instrument that catch the flies.
Leaders had to conceal and hide a lot of political literature in prison. Jeff would urge everybody to bring planks or wood to him. He made tables and bookshelves for not only himself but for almost all the leaders and many other prisoners. They were also special because he had a skill to create secret compartments so that leaders can hide sensitive political literature. Even with the stools/benches he created some false bottoms or compartments so that leaders in his section could hide political literature or any sensitive writing.
What has Jeff got to do with Mandelas book Long Walk To Freedom?Jeff is the one whio was given a photo album with the instructions that he must create secret openings on that photo album so that Mandela can hide his Long Walk To Freedom manuscript or draft. Jeff Masemola did that with such precision that the guards did not notice anything.
Another one in the mood of Jeff was Sedick Isaacks. Imust say I did not meet him in prison,he had been released by the time I came to Robben Island.He had some collaborations with Jeff. He is the one who made measurements of the master-key that was made by Jeff.
There was also a time when Sedick and Jeff modified a door and turned it into a makeshift raft. Sure this was for escape purposes. Unfortunately it was not to be.
One can write endlessly about the unsung heroes. The lesson here is that we all can do a lot of good things but sometimes not too many people will notice them. But the few that take notice will never forget those things and will forever be grateful to you. The likes of Jeff,Motsoaledi,Nceba are not world icons but we cannot and will never exchange them for any thing for the little but very important things they did.
Category: Ukategorisert | 2182 comments
Escape Thoughts And Attempts
The most natural and dominating feeling for any prisoner is, when one will be released from prison. Very close to that is the feeling and thoughts about chances of escaping.
Personally I took more time thinking about or looking forward to the day when I will be released. The question of escape never dominated or excited me. In fact the best advice that we got on such matters was that the easiest way of serving a sentence/jail term is not to think or spend much time on checking how you can escape from the prison.
Having said that, the mind, from time to time will go to escape thoughts and to some people it was worth giving it a try. But when you are on Robben Island surrounded by the sea, it needed a very great self-belief and meticulous planning if you were going to try and escape.
As group of prisoners we also loosely and informally discussed these matters from time to time. We were in most cases discussing about whether it is worth it or not or about the political implications of escaping or even trying to,and of course the security set-up was always discussed.
Some prisoners, including some of our senior leaders held the view that it is not worth it, given the geograghical set-up and the nature of the security on the Island. They will argue that it is almost suicidal. On top of that argument was that the idea of escaping is not consistent with the ethics and status of prisoners of conscience,people who are fighting for Human Rights and National Freeedom. Argument went on to say escaping is for criminal prisoners thus it will devalue and dilute our just Struggle for Freedom,it will tend to inflict some damage to the character of the would-be escapees. As you can see it is a very complicated explanation and it is not easy to understand but some people had that belief.
The opposite view was simple and straight-forward, if there is a chance, one must escape and get another chance of uniting with the loved ones and continue with the Struggle for our freedom in a more direct way from outside the jail. It would appear that the likes of Jeff Masomola, Eddie Daniels, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Sedick Isaacs embraced the idea of escaping if there is a chance and a convincing plan to back-it-up.
There was a time when Jeff Masemola and Sedick Isaacs were assisted by some criminal prisoners to modify a door trying to turn it into a makeshift raft(fløte). This raft(fløte) was going to be used for an escape. They worked meticulously so as not to rush things and get caught. Even the sea tides were studied and observed by this small group of individuals. so as to determine the right time to escape.
Unfortunately one of the criminal prisoners who was secretly working with them sold them out and told the guards. Sedick Isaacs was given an extended sentence and lashes on the buttocks as punishment.
The most serious plan was devised by Eddie Daniels mainly after he was released from the prison. This one was mainly to get Mandela and Walter Sisulu out of the prison. It was suppossed to be executed on 1 January 1981. The choice for this day was because the guards used to be on a merry mood celebrating the New Year as a result, security was normally not at its best. Because it was also a holiday, the prison would have a skeleton staff of guards as many of them would be on the mainland holidaying.
The plan was to get a helicopter ,Eddie Daniels on board the helicopter to oversee and direct the escape. The helicopter would have a big basket covered with the South African flag so as to make it look like its a (South African Apartheid)government helicopter.
The helicopter was planned to come in the morning when prisoners are out in the courtyard,hover overhead and lower the basket which will be hanging from a long rope or something. Then Sisulu and Mandela will clamber into the basket and be flown to a foreign `friendly`embassy where they will seek for political assylum. International rules dictates that embassy offices are treated as a foreign land which cannot be violated or used by any other country except the country that officially uses those embassy offfices. In simple terms it means for an example, a United States embassy office in Oslo is treated by the Norwegian government as a foreign land that belongs to USA. So Norway have no say or any rules that applies to those offices.
Eddie Daniels plan to organise Mandela and Sisulu escape was never carried -out because Mandela and Sisulu organisation(ANC) felt it is too risky, so they did not give permission to have it implemented.
There were a couple of thousands of prisoners kept on the island on various times, I can bet my last kroner, there must have been a thousand secret little escape plans in the hearts of many.
Category: Ukategorisert | 2167 comments
How Is South Africa Today?
This is a question that I am asked almost every time here in Norway. It happens a lot when Iam addressing students at different schools that I visit and that I meet when they visit Arkivet. That is the same case when Iam involved in ordinary discussions with many Norwegians and people from other countries.
I also get a lot of flak about some of the things that have been said by my government leaders e.g. President Thabo Mbeki and Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. Jacob Zuma is always the main meal. Some elderly people are also having jitters about report of crime and what they see as slow social and political changes since 1994 Freedom.
So you can see that as much as people ask me how is South Africa today they have as many thoughts and ideas about the country,thanks to internet, television, newspapers and radios. With all the information that is flowing through media,whether the information is wrong or right or exxagerated generally, the basic information is out there.
The last thing that Iwant to do is to lie,cheat my hosts and other people, or say things that I do not believe in and in the process cheat myself . So I try my best to tell it from the heart and honestly and say things as I see them.
But what has been the greatest pleasure is that most students ask me these questions with all the honesty and sincerity and very little knowledge about my country. So the broad question, how is South Africa today, is always there.
My answers have mainly focussed on issues of racism, the spirit of the new constitution,the freedoms that we have today and all the basic rights. The other part is to talk about the social and economic gaps and disparities when you look at our White community and Black communities.It is also very helpful to show how poor education that was given to Black people will negatively affect their future as a collective.
The new government has implemented so many good things like building roads,houses,bring clean drinkable water to people,replan our education so as to enable Blacks to reach their full potential,initiate projects and programmes to empower women with skills,jobs and business opportunities etc. We have a very good constitution,efficient and impartial Constitutional Court and a thriving democratic culture with a very strong Opposition and many non-governmental organisations,trade unions and business sector that keeps the government on its toes. A lot more positive stuff that can be said that I have not included here.
Simple examples can be that at least +-55% of Blacks are considered poor whilst you have about 2% of White people who are considered poor. That you cannot mask and hide,the many houses that Black people still use today tells you `we are poor here`. The schools in the areas where many Blacks reside are still grossly and inadequately equipped but other things like more texts books,food for children and sometimes even transport for primary school children is given by the government.
It is also a pleasant experience to tell students that there are no more laws based on racism,we all can vote now and everybody is equal before the law and our government is composed of people from all walks of life and racial groups. White people generally have embraced the new political arrangement. Having said that it is also my paramount duty to explain that we still have pockets of racism or still see trends that show that racism in some of the minds and hearts of a significant number of our White compatriots is still there. It is a disease that has been planted in our country for more than 300 hundred years, so it cannot be eradicated quckly. Who can forget the sickening and dehumanising video that was taken at Free State university where White students were shown to be urinating on food which was later given to Black workers of that University. Recently a White farmer who legally own the farm which also has a burial site where close to 50 Black people were buried many years ago, decided(without even talking to the relatives of people that were buried there) to take a tractor and run over all those graveyards and plant carrots. One can only imagine the pain that was felt by those relatives of the dead people.
Not so long ago a very young White man in a place called Skielik shot dead 4 Black people without any provocation. At the same University of Free State a White student who wanted a room mate ran an advert which said something like`..to share a room with student who should not be black but must also be a Christian`. That is what we want to call pockets of racism as to how many are those pockets and how big or bulging are they tomorrow will tell us. But everything possible must be done to maintain peace.
South Africa has lots of too many good people and structures,organisations and above all the government with a lot of good intentions, so despite such incidents we believe that we are on the right track. We must not be arrogant or careless though, and most importantly we must be patient and continue engaging each other in a construtive way to secure a much better future.
Category: Ukategorisert | 1321 comments
Prison Political Education
Prison had its many disadvantages but also there were some few advantages. One of those was that you will have all the time in the world basically,because there were fewer things to do as a routine like work. We had to then add a variety of activities to spice-up our prison life, for an example, by having political education classes five days a week.
Political education was one of the key things to ensure that we develop our political understanding and many of the socio-political issues and problems in South Africa and the world in general. It was also important because by us engaging in these political classes and debates we will automatically develop more knowledge which will result to us developing more strenght and belief in what we are fighting for. This education was not just education for knowledge only,it boosted our morale,pride and self-esteem,we will really feel we are in prison for very important matters and so we must have a will to survive all the prison difficulties and challenges. In simple terms no matter what the guards will do like punishing us or over-working us or beating us up,we were mentally too strong to be destroyed by those actions of the prison guards.
This education was also a natural and decisive tool to nourish and promote our unity as prisoners. Debates and these political discusions meant that you could speak politics to anyone at anytime, in that way meaningful and ethical friendship was easily spread. Even though we were kept in different sections most of the time we were using the same political material, so we all could find common subjects to discuss and talk about if ever you meet people from other sections.
The culture of political education,discussions and debates was not restricted to about 2 hours that was normally allocated in the cells. as I say it developed into a culture,it had survived for more than 2 decades. At workplaces we discussed politics a lot, in the toilets taking showers we discussed politics. We also had what we called a taxi whereby two or more people will walk around the soccer field for a long time discussing a particular political topic or politics in general. You could be discussing some bombing that took place or some national strike, or some speech that was deliverd by a certain leader,govt. soldiers or police killing of our people,our own attacks of govt. buildings,soldiers etc. Or sometimes you are discussing about different social systems of the world ,communism,capitalism,democracy,role of religion, its advantages its shortcomings or problems,politics of sports etc. there was always a lot to discuss.
Personally I can confess that one of the most enjoyable things for me in prison was political discussions and talking about and analysing of political news on the newspapers or stuff that was told to us by our visitors. I was never bored with political discussions because I felt as a young prisoner the best way to develop my political understanding was to discuss and discuss and discuss politics. Fortunately there were so many elderly,more experienced political prisoners who enjoyed one-on-one or group discussions and taxi discussions.
I always made sure that everyday I reserve some time just to read about politics. One comrade that was so tall that he was called Girraffe(Nceba Faku) used to say even if you have read two paragraghs that is okay. Especially when you read about complex stuff like social systems etc. I will really take my time and not rush. Sometimes I had a habit of waking-up around 3am and read if I am not feeling tired. In that case I will have to go to the toilet because the lights will be off at that time. We always had a spare chair and a small table that will be left in the toilets at night so that if you are inspired you want to read during those awkward hours you can use that table and chair.
I also used to illegally sneak into hospital section where Iwill have many one-on-one discussions with experienced political prisoners like Naledi Tsiki,Harry Gwala and Elias Motsoaledi. There you will just drink prison tea and discuss politics.
Talking about Harry Gwala he was one of the authors of our prison political material called MAN and HIS COUNTRY.It was such a good material that it was a must-read for every comrade. It was a beautiful easy-to-understand and very enlghtening material which was a mixture of South African history and politics of why there are those who have money and wealth and there are those who have little or nothing in our world and what problems that situation brings to the societies in our world.
As prisoners we used political material that was secretly written by our leaders in prison like Nelson Mandela,Govan Mbeki,Gwala etc. Sometimes they will also use your normal academic social science books and add some other things for the benefit of our political classes. Like in every society a book secretly written by a leader in prison will also be double-checked by many senior comrades before it is declared fit to be used for our classes.
It is also true that a few our political material was smuggled from outside the prison,but that was not common because it was very difficult and risky. Needless to say the prison management did not ever allow us to carry-on with our political education freely. They will occassionally storm the cells and take whatever political material they find and destroy it or sometimes punish all those who were found in possession of political material. Despite all those setbacks you will find that we will always have back-up material hidden elsewhere in the prison which will be made available soon after the guards have taken the other stuff.
It was all worth it, we all benefitted immensely as South African people and the world people in general have also benefited because we are able to contribute better in world politics and other areas because of having been prepared by this political education. So the next time you hear words reconciliation and peace,know that that was the cornerstone and key message of our prison political education, and we still stand by peace and reconciliation.
Category: Ukategorisert | 1956 comments
A Typical Day In Robben Island Prison
Many times I have been asked by a number of people, from all walks of life, how was life in prison. This is a very big and generally confusing question. You never know where to start, what to say and what not to say in trying to answer the question. Simple reason being that so many things happened, some in front of our eyes,some behind the scenes, some of these things we were the ones who wer doing them. On this story I will try and give a picture of a normal day in prison.
I will drag myself out of the bed at around 05.30 am so that I am one of the first to take a shower whilst the water is still warmer and there is less traffic in the toilet. Because we were in an island without clean water,a bath was not really pleasant experience because we washed ourselves with sea water which has been purified. It was not a smooth bath, its harder on one`s body and because of the salty content soap does not help, sometimes we had to use hair shampoo as our soap.
I will be quick enough so that I can listen to 06.00 am State radio news propaganda broadcast. That was our first daily meal really. I will then make up my bed, dress-up properly in the prison uniform. As I am doing that I am also probably having a light chat with others or discussing and analysing propaganda news that have just been broadcasted.
At around 06.45 am the prison guards will start opening the cells, sometimes they just count you randomly but sometimes they will be cheeky and demand that you all stand next to your beds as they do the counting. Prisoners working at the kitchen will then bring porridge breakfast. I will always eat that porridge without any sense of enjoyment, just to fill-up the stomach. To try and make it a bit palatable sometimes I will scramble for jam or butter and mix that with the porridge. I always enjoyed going out to work and mix with other prisoners. We started work at around 08.00-08.30 am. Sometimes it was less inspiring work,cutting grass,general cleaning and removing weeds but most of the time I worked at a place called Bougroep where I was mending old prison uniforms. Other prisoners were more skilful, they were true tailors. One of the most skillful and bright workers there was Chammuso. He is the guy whose story is told through the film CATCH THE FIRE.
I enjoyed to be part of informal political discussions and cracking jokes,teasing each other and sometimes making fun of the warders who by then we respected but not feared. 11.30 am I will have lunch in the form of 4 slices of bread (with jam or butter sometimes) That was served with either prison lousy soup or drink. To liven up things occassionaly we will either make fire and toast the bread or catch some rabbits or any other animal and make our own secret barbecue(grille). There has always been wildlife on the Island like bucks,birds etc. Sometimes the guards will know about our secret grille and punish us or simply do nothing about it, guards were not the same.
Around 15.30pm we will be taken back to the prison, I will be a bit tired and very hungry by then. My attitude really was not to expect a satisfying meal but just to fill-up my stomach. I will eat my food quickly,no emotions no pleasure and then get in touch with my cell leader. He will then secretly give me some news articles that will be read to other prisoners. These news articles will either be stuff that has been gathered from newspapers stolen from guard`s offices or retrieved from their gabbage bins or from the few prisoners that were allowed to get some newspapers. These news cuttings had to be handled secretly as guards will always punish us if found in our possession .
We will get together once the cell is closed and there are no guards around. I will read the news to all prisoners in my cell. I really enjoyed this part of activity. We will then read and analyse those news for about 30 minutes and thereafter pick up a topic on political issues,we discuss that for about an hour. I will really push myself here because it was strainous and you had to really apply your mind.
After that I will go to the toilet and join my choral music/gumboot or traditional dance group. I will do my rehearsals with my group which I always found stimulating and inspiring. Around 20.00pm I drag myself to the last activity,academic class group. If I am the one who will be teaching I would have either prepared my presentation a day before or skip the rehearsals and prepare for the class. We used to take turns in teaching each other. I firmly believe that my prison education allowed me to move to a higher level as a person.
Around ten I will have to go to bed and face dreaded time. That is when you start thinking about your friends,family,prison sentence etc. as you are trying to catch sleep. Of course sometimes the memories are good and you keep a positive attitude. Before I realise I am asleep and deep in my dreams.
That was my typical day in prison.
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Soccer And The Loo….Yes Soccer And The Loo
Having written a short story about the all sorts of vibrant cultural activities that we were forced to practice and rehearse in the toilets,this also reminded me of another toilet story, if not a lot of others.
As I have mentioned earlier in this blogg, as political prisoners we took a lot of interest in playng sports and ensuring that if there are new prisoners we also take a lot of care in helping them to adapt to prison conditions,routine and lifestyle. Of course we used sports too to make them adapt.
You see, South Africa is divided into provinces/regions. Traditionally Rugby sport has been very strong in the Cape region as a favourite/prefered sport for Black people. And then the other regions were very strong in soccer. So it was not unusual to get a new prisoner from East/Western Cape who has no clue of how soccer is played and how its rules are applied. Just like when they in turn had to teach us the basics of Rugby. It was all done in a comradely spirit.
To say this will bring lots of confusion and disruptions when the actual play takes place will be an understatement. We had to be very patient until people understand the rules and they can actually play. The problem is that when another group of prisoners arrive you had to start all over again.
Somewhere in the mid-eighties there was a larger group of prisoners who arrived from different regions. Most of them were of my then younger generation,lots of energy and a will to learn and mix with as many comrades as possible. They were all kept in D section. The bunch from Queenstown had never been exposed to soccer, they knew rugby,boxing etc. So the D section comrades took care to introduce them to soccer which was then more popular than rugby in prison.
A few weeks down the line D section comrades who had taught them soccer were confident that all the basics have been understood, so they could now play as equals. That was always our mistake,we were too optimistic too much faith was put to these comrades. You will excuse me because I have forgotten the name of the comrade who was a culprit here. All those who were still new in soccer will play for C teams games. Gradually as somoene progresses he will go to B and A games eventually.
One of these new comrades was asked to mark a particularly dangerous player who had been thrown in the mix just to liven-up the game. He was given strict instructions to follow him no matter what. It was made clear to him that he has been given the task of marking a very tricky and dangerous player , so he better be very careful and vigilant. The instructions were simple, do not allow him to play,just kick the ball away from him,no complications,but stick to the man THANA NCA KUYE(in Xhosa language).
Indeed the beginner did a good job of frustrating this experienced talented prisoner. The worst part is that the beginner tackled anyhow, he had no understanding how one should mark and tackle properly, the soccer way.
Drama happened when the frustrated but talented prisoner felt he had to go to the toilet as he was having running stomach or diarrhea during the game. He indicated to the referee about his intentions of going to the toilet but his opponent did not get it. As this comrade strolled out of the soccer pitch straight towards the toilet,his marker thought it is part of the tricks of soccer for an opponent to prertend to walk away and then take you by surprise coming back when you are least suspecting and punish you.
He simply followed the man to the toilet and patiently waited for him to finish relieving himself. Prison toilets had no much privacy they all had very low doors so that anyone can easily see who is seated on a toilet seat. Can you imagine, you have just been frustrated by an opponent who does not even know how to mark properly,coupled with that you feel your stomach is not right you have to rush to the toilet,when you raise your head gasping for some fresher air,there is this lousy opponent right there waiting for you next to your toilet door? This comrade went beserk,he hurled all sorts of insults and abuse out of frustration,telling the other one to go away and leave so that he can do his business in the toilet, it was really so funny everybody had a good laugh about it.
That is how much laughter and happiness sports will bring to us in prison, in so many ways it helped us to release stress and tension and be able to go forward with our jail terms.
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Music,Poetry,Stage Plays In The Loo(Toilet)
Music,poetry and stage-plays have always inspired generations whether in times of peace ,turmoil or war. From Shakespeare, Mozart, Bob Marley right up to presentday`s Hip Hop artists,these cultural forces have always conspired to push societies to look at how they treat each other and then garner them to action.
Immediately after I was arrested, I was kept alone in a small cell for about five months. To keep myself busy and to reassure myself that I am still normal I had to learn to talk to myself and sing for long periods. I was my own performer and my own audience. I will sing lots of South African freedom songs and lots of Bob Marley stuff. Not many people have really grasped how big was the influence of Bob Marley music in instilling our fighting spirit,to challenge the oppressive government. Music really helped my spirits and confidence.
But in Robben Island Prison it was better because we were about 40 in a big communal cell. On rare occassions you had to spend the whole day locked-up in that cell. Normally one will spend about 13 hours in a cell(at night) and the other time will be spent at a workplace.
Needless to say ,there was no privacy in those big cells. The only semi-private area will be the toilets,where there were 3 showers and 3 toilet seats. Ironically that was a very lively area most of the time.
Normally a toilet is an unhygienic,stinking anti-social space But our Robben Island toilets,especially in the evenings,will spring to life and become spaces of vibrant cultural activities. Prisoners will take turns rehearsing and practising music,poetry,stage-plays and dance.
In my cell we had this rule that no one should go to the loo to relieve himself between 18.30pm and 20.00pm. I am made to believe that was the arrangement in many cells of Robben Island.That was time for music,dance,poetry dance rehearsals and practice in the toilets, so no air pollution. Of course sometimes rules are broken.
Imagine a situation where you have to concentrate on your music,poetry practice,a metre or so away in front of you a guy is busy relieving himself and thus horrible smell comes out of that business. Perhaps another two or three guys in right there are naked and taking a shower and watching your singing and rehearsals. Crazy,crazy environment but to keep unity and sanity we had to live with that and accept those abnormal situations to a point where it felt very normal to us. That was the spirit of prisoners in Robben Island,always prepared to tolerate each other and strive to turn negative situations into positive experiences.
At a personal level I always involved myself in Gumboot dance,Indlamu( traditional dance),Isicathamiya dance and choral music. Believe it or not some younger prisoners of my generation even entertained us with Breakdance, which really took off in the early eighties. Talk about being in step with the outside world.
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