Copycat cell pains but pleases Struggle veterans
WALKING into a replica of Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island cell brought back painful memories for Ahmed Kathrada yesterday.
He, together with other Struggle stalwarts Andrew Mlangeni, Denis Goldberg, Eddie Daniels and Amy Thornton, joined Minster of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and his deputy Fatima Chohan to speak about their experiences during the apartheid era.
The cell, unveiled at Spine Road High School in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, is an initiative of the Robben Island Museum and the Department of Home Affairs.
More will be built at 17 schools in Mitchells Plain, where smart ID applications will be processed and Good Citizenship education workshops 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 were hanged, who did not live to see liberation. What we went through to liberate the future must never be forgotten.”
Kathrada told pupils that South Africa was at an important crossroads, as education was one of the cornerstones of a free society.
“I don’t condemn students. I 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,” he said.
Daniels spent 15 years in such a cell, and memories flooded back.
“It represents the sacrifices and pain Mandela and all of us endured by the previous regime. More can be done by the government to provide for its people,” he said.
Thornton, who was involved in the creation of the Freedom Charter, said it was essential for young people to read it. “It should be read for its own sake as it is a critical and important document and should be taught in schools,” she said.
Spine Road head girl Hamima Mullah said the cell was a way for “those from poorer circumstances to experience the emotions of visiting Madiba’s cell”.
“It is also important to remember how important the Struggle was, as there are still challenges today for many of us,” Hamima said.
The cell will be open to the community after school hours for visits, and Robben Island Museum will arrange for a former prisoner to talk on life in prison on the Island.