Nelson Mandela's Imprisonment
Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison, 18 of them at the horrifying Robben Island Prison, which had previously been a leper community and was situated off the coast of Cape Town.
Conditions at Robben Island Prison
Mandela was forced to perform difficult manual work at a lime mine in addition to being confined to a small space without plumbing or a bed. He had fewer benefits and smaller rations than other prisoners because he was a political prisoner. This included only allowing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, whom he wed in 1958, to visit him twice a year. Mandela and other inmates were consistently subjected to inhumane and sadistic punishments even for the simplest of offenses. This includes, among others, guards burying convicts neck deep in the ground as well as urinating on them.
Mandela's Influence and Achievements
Mandela, under these conditions and restrictions, however, managed to mentor his fellow inmates, encourage them to advocate for better treatment via non-violent resistance and received a bachelor's degree in law from the University of London (Badra, 52). He also managed to smuggle out his political statements and drafts of his "Long Walk to Freedom" autobiography that was published five years subsequent to his release.
Resistance and International Outcry
Regardless of being forced to retreat from the limelight, Mandela remained the emblematic principal of the antiapartheid resistance. Oliver Tambo, in 1980, introduced a campaign, "Free Nelson Mandela", which fueled the escalating international outcry against the racist regime in South Africa. As pressure grew, the government presented Mandela his freedom on a condition that he compromised politically. This included renouncing violence and acknowledgment of the "sovereign" Transkei Bantustan (Roberts, 72). However, Mandela rejected the government's terms. Even though life was unbearable in prison, he had to have faith and hope for a better South Africa.
Moved to Pollsmoor Prison
Mandela was, in 1982, moved to the Pollsmoor Prison that was located on the mainland. In his new home, there were no racists but inmates were never allowed to go outside. Moreover, he was minimal rights of visits from friends and family or any communication from the outside, such as newspapers, were revoked. However, other inmates managed to sneak in newspapers, which selected inmates read and shared the ongoing events with the rest of the prisoners.
Challenges and Hope
The papers talked about civil rights movements in South Africa. The political prisoners too had their civil rights struggle going on within the jail walls. Nonetheless, although he managed to keep his head held high and encourage other prisoners, Mandela had to tackle many tough situations and times (Badra, 56). These included harsh guard and intolerable gang members that controlled the prison, including his life.
Release and Leadership
In 1988, Mandela was put under house arrest within a minimum-security correctional facility. F. W. de Klerk, the newly elected president lifted the prohibition on the ANC in 1989 and appealed for a nonracial and united South Africa. He ordered Mandela to be released on 11th February, 1990.
Conclusion
In Mandela's part 8 dubbed "The Dark Years" he shares his 27 years experiences as a political prisoner and how he was released and became the first South African president to be elected democratically and how he led his nation to end apartheid. In this chapter he recounts the adversities of Robben Island Prison and how he helped other inmates to affirm their human rights movement ideals and their personal dignity to the guards who were determined to break their morale and self-belief.
References
Badra, Lahouel. "History, Memory and Identity in Nelson Mandela's Autobiography: Long Walk to Freedom (1918-1962)." Atenea, vol. 32, no. 1/2, ene-dic2012, pp. 49-57.
Roberts Jr., David. "Long Walk to Freedom." National Review, vol. 47, no. 1, 23 Jan. 1995, p. 72.
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