Cape Town - Walking into a replica of Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island cell brought back painful memories for Ahmed Kathrada.
Kathrada and other Struggle stalwarts Andrew Mlangeni, Dennis Goldberg, Eddie Daniels and Amy Thornton joined Minster of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and his deputy Fatima Chohan and spoke of their experiences of the apartheid past.
The cell, unveiled at Spine Road High School on Monday, is an initiative of the Robben Island Museum and the Department of Home Affairs.
Replica cells will be built at 17 schools in Mitchells Plain, where ongoing Smart ID applications will be processed and educational programmes on good citizenship will be conducted.
An emotional Kathrada said it brought back painful memories of the 18 years Madiba spent in the tiny cell. “It’s with sadness and pleasure that we are here as we remember Chris Hani, and other comrades who did not live to see liberation.
“This cell brings back painful memories and what we went through to liberate the future. It must never be forgotten,” said Kathrada.
He told pupils South Africa was at an important crossroad as education is one of the cornerstones of a free society.
“I don’t condemn students and salute their courage and understand their impatience for the cause they are fighting. We are concerned about the infrastructure, which we fought for, being destroyed,” said Kathrada.
Daniels said he spent 15 years in such a cell and the memories were flooding back.
“It represents the sacrifices and pain Mandela and all of us endured under the previous regime. More can be done by the government to provide to for its people,” said Daniels.
Thornton who was involved with the creation of the Freedom Charter said the document was never as important as it is now, and young people should read it.
“It should be read for its own sake as it is a critical and important document and should be taught in schools,” said Thornton.
Spine Road High headgirl, Hamima Mullah, said while she was privileged to have visited the Island, the cell was a way for those who could not to experience it.
“It’s significant as those from poorer circumstances will now be able to experience the emotions of visiting Madiba’s cell.
“It is also important to remember right now how important the Struggle was as there are still challenges in today’s society for many of us,” said Hamima.