the long walk of nelson mandela - the prisoner (2024)

In the winter of 1964, Nelson Mandela arrived on Robben Island where he would spend 18 of his 27 prison years. Confined to a small cell, the floor his bed, a bucket for a toilet, he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He was allowed one visitor a year for 30 minutes. He could write and receive one letter every six months. But Robben Island became the crucible which transformed him. Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that would create a new democratic South Africa.

"He always made the point, if they say you must run, insist on walking.
If they say you must walk fast, insist on walking slowly.That was the whole point.We are going to set the terms." Neville Alexander, fellow prisoner

The Letters to WinnieThese four letters, written from Robben Island between 1976-1979, convey howWinnie was the love of his life. They also offer a glimpse of the painful guiltMandela felt for the wife and family he always had to put second to hispolitical cause.

"The Dark Years"In this section from his memoirs, Mandela describes the harsh daily routineduring the early years on Robben Island.

Neville Alexander's InterviewOne of the "young revolutionaries" sent to Robben Island the same year asMandela, Alexander recounts how Walter Sisulu's and Mandela's arguments forself-discipline in prison won over "hotheads" like himself. He also detailshow Mandela's traits of character were revealed in his dealings with theauthorities and fellow prisoners.

Jack Swart's StoriesWhen Mandela was moved to Victor Verster in 1988, Swart became his chef,glimpsing private times in Mandela's life, including visits from his wife,family and colleagues. He recounts some of this, as well as anecdotes aboutMandela'a first experience with a microwave; what it was like to drive Mandelasecretly around the Cape Town area; and the events and the atmosphere in thedays and hours leading up to Mandela's historic 1990 release.

Fikile Bam's InterviewHe was on Robben Island with Mandela for ten years and shares stories ofMandela's personal political skills; his effort to learn the Afrikaan language;and the kind of books he liked to read.

George Bizos's ReflectionsAs Mandela's longtime lawyer and constant visitor during his imprisonment,Bizos relates some revealing anecdotes about the prison years.

Christo Brand's InterviewHe was Mandela's warder for many years, first on Robben Island and then atPollsmoor Prison. He sketches many details of Mandela's prison life--from his beloved garden and taste in music; to how his letters werecensored; and how he helped hide Mandela's newborn grandchild so he could seeand hold him in prison.

"The Most Important Person in Any Prisoner's Life"This short chapter from Mandela's memoirs describes his relationships withwarders and how his fellow prisoners devised strategies to evade their jailersand communicate with each other.

Ahmed Kathrada's StoriesA dedicated friend of Mandela who was imprisoned on Robben Island from1964-1989, Kathrada recounts how the prisoners smuggled out Mandela'sautobiography. He also describes how, years later at Pollsmoor Prison, Mandelabroke the news about his secret talks with the government.