Rebecca Jackman
FOR the younger generation, seldom does the opportunity arise to view the Struggle against apartheid through the eyes of those who lived it from within its smallest confines – a prison cell.
“We know about Nelson Mandela, but it’s not just about Madiba, but other people as well,” said Kanya Mpelane, a matric pupil at St Joseph’s Marist College in Rondebosch.
An exhibition honouring all Struggle veterans and sharing the story of apartheid through educational multilingual posters and a replica of Nelson Mandela’s cell for 18 years, officially opened at the Nelson Mandela Gateway yesterday.
The exhibition is part of the Mandela27 project, “a cultural collaboration between the EU and South Africa” including the cell exhibition and a website with an interactive cultural map of Europe and South Africa, a game depicting prison life on Robben Island and a panoramic tour of key spots at Robben Island Maximum Security Prison.
Three Struggle veterans, two of whom are among the last surviving Rivonia trialists, attended the official opening to share their stories of life as political prisoners under the apartheid regime.
Ahmed Kathrada, Denis Goldberg and Kwedie Mkalipi spoke to a group of high school pupils, among others, about prison food rations, their political beliefs and the importance of education.
Another St Joseph’s matric pupil, Zikhona Kupiso, admitted she had never heard of the men but said after hearing of their experiences she wanted to share what she had learnt with her friends and community. “I feel privileged to have been here,” she said.
Mkalipi urged the pupils to understand the importance of their education.
“Development is to do with you. Nobody can develop you but yourselves,” he said.
He explained that during their time in prison those who were not as educated relied on the wisdom of those with a better education. They developed a process to learn from each other to better themselves during their time there.
Goldberg spoke of his time in a white men’s prison where he was able to read and study. He also spoke of time for self-reflection during the long hours alone in his cell.
The men all spoke of the importance of being aware of current affairs and their desperation for knowledge beyond the prison walls.
“I know none of you read newspapers,” Goldberg jokingly said to younger members of the audience.
Kathrada said they all came out of prison strengthened in their political beliefs.
“I like to believe that in 1989 when I was released, I was the same person I was when I was arrested,” he said.
But, he said, young people should at least try to educate themselves on what was happening in the world.
The cell, an exact replica constructed of wood and steel, contains a sleeping mat, small table, metal dishes and a waste bucket. The structure can be taken apart, requiring at least “six strong men” to move it.
It is currently in the auditorium at the Gateway, but will soon be moved to Cape Town Central Library for a brief period before returning to the Gateway on October 3, where it will remain on the first floor until February.
And the intention is that it will travel further so that every South African may know the story of Robben Island and the country’s history without having to leave their communities.
l For more information visit www.mandela27.eu.