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ROBBEN ISLAND | SERIES 2
Mandela reflects, "My Robben Island, I have attempted to colour the island sketches in ways that reflect the positive light in which I view it.
This is what I would like to share with people around the world and, hopefully, also project the idea that even the most fantastic dreams can be achieved if we are prepared to endure life's challenges."
THE COURTYARD
The courtyard in Robben Island was an unfriendly, empty and barren place. It was a somber reminder of where I was.
From the beginning of my imprisonment, I asked to start a garden in the courtyard, to change this sad-looking place. After years of refusing my request, we were finally given permission to plant a garden in a narrow stretch of earth against a wall.
Being able to plant and nurture life in that prison courtyard offered me a sense of freedom and satisfaction that is hard to put into words, even today. A garden is one of the few things in prison that one could control.
A fearful memory that I have, is that of a beautiful tomato plant that I coaxed from tiny seed, to tender seedling, to a strong plant that gave plump bright red juicy tomatoes. Despite my efforts the plant began to whither, and die, and nothing I did would heal it. When it died, I took it carefully from the soil, washed its roots and buried it in a corner of the garden. I felt sad. It once again reminded me of where I was, and the hopelessness I felt in being unable to nourish other relationships in my life - my wife, my children, my family and my friends.
It made me realize the beauty, the simplicity and sacred value of family, loved ones and friends. I swore to myself that I would never take another human being, their friendship or their love, for granted ever again.
THE WARD
On Robben Island, political and general prisoners were kept well apart. The only place where we could talk, and share information with other inmates was in the prison hospital and that became more than just an infirmary.
The hospital I have sketched here serves as a secret and vital link between us and the rest of the world.
Through the hospital, news about our families, our friends, the struggle and everyday events would trickle through and became one of our most important life links to the outside world.
As time passed the news became less depressing and we realized that the apartheid regime was weakening, that the voice of the struggle was being heard in the outside world and that a great wave of support was growing for all the people of South Africa.
Today, I remember the state hospital ward with fondness. These memories, like this sketch, are filled with joyous colours.
THE TENNIS COURT
In 1977 forced manual labour was ended after we maintained a two-year go-slow strike. We asked to do something more useful with our days instead of the monotony of mining lime and stone from the quarries.
This action, however, robbed us of the opportunity to exercise and after much effort we convinced the warders to allow us convert the courtyard into a tennis court. Prior to this the prisoners were marched round and round the courtyard for half an hour every day. We used to walk around the courtyard quickly, in single file, under the watchful eye of the guards.
Our persistence paid off and we painted the courtyard surface to create a traditional courtyard layout.
Strangely, Robben Island was the first opportunity for me to play tennis since university. I was by no means an expert but the exercise was a welcome break from the walks from to and from the quarry, and round and round the yard.
Being able to exercise one’s mind and body through play was immensely freeing. Playing tennis and attending to my gardening became my two favourite hobbies on Robben Island.
It was strange sensation enjoying such civilized hobbies in such an uncivilized place. It caused me to reflect on the strange and perverse nature of apartheid, where they wrongly thought that one people’s freedom could only be enjoyed at the expense and oppression of another.
MANDELA'S WALK
The guard tower seen in this image marked the corner of the Robben Island compound. It was the point at which the dirt road from the stone quarry met the boundary patrol Road.
We worked the quarries for thirteen years as part of our “hard labour”. It was hard work but we did not mind as it meant we could leave the prison compound to have the “freedom” to walk and talk together on the long road to the quarry. These were invigorating times.
We would feel the wind on our faces, see the birds flying in freedom and smell the eucalyptus blossoms. I remember seeing gemsbok and springbok grazing in the plains.
After a day of relative “freedom” the tower was a grim reminder as we returned to the prison each evening. Conversation between us usually became less and less as we approached the tower.
The tower reminded us of exactly where we were and where we had expected to stay for the rest of our lives.
How little we guessed at the great changes that would sweep our country in our lifetime. That in my lifetime … I would exchange these prison walls for freedom. Not just my freedom, but the freedom of all of my country’s people. A freedom which has become a symbol for all.
THE GUARD TOWER
Barbed wire fence and ominous towers became a tragic backdrop to life on Robben Island.
At the time of my imprisonment, Robben Island was, without question, the harshest, most iron-fisted prison in the South African penal system. It was a remote and lonely prison outpost for both prisoners and prison staff.
The racial divide on Robben Island was absolute.
There were no watches or clocks on Robben Island. We were dependent on bells and warders’ whistles and shouts as our time-pieces. In prison the towers looked over us throughout the day.
In this sketch I have attempted to pull together the two elements that overshadowed our lives for so many years – the towers and the ever-restraining barbed wire.
The image shows the harsh reality that reminds me our sacrifice and endurance. The use of more cheerful colours, in the sketch, is my way of presenting how we feel today.