Political Prisoners of South Africa Documentation Project
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30th Anniversary of Bracelet Program!!

3/22/2015

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We officially kicked off the Political Prisoners of South Africa Bracelet Program with a Press Conference on March 22, 1985, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The picture to the left is a copy of the Michigan Daily article about the Press Conference which can also be found on this website under the “About" and  then "Media” tab.  

In 1985, I would have rolled on the floor laughing if someone said I would still be involved in the Bracelet Program 30 years later!!  One never knows where an idea or initiative will take you.  I am committed as ever to making sure the sacrifices made by the former political prisoners and their families are never forgotten.  

You can help by completing the short survey about your experience with the Bracelet Program.  The link to the survey is on the homepage.

As part of the anniversary celebration, I posted a message on Facebook asking folks to post a picture of themselves wearing their bracelet, or of their bracelet by itself.  I thought that would be a fitting collaborative way to celebrate.  All of you made the program a reality.  THANK YOU!!!


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Power of One by Julie Halpert

2/22/2015

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Life-changing moments rarely announce themselves.

For Deborah Robinson, PhD ’87, one such moment occurred in 1982 during a party in Detroit. The event was sponsored by the African Friendship Society and it was the first time Robinson had met anyone from South Africa. She tried to engage one young man in conversation, making small talk about what a great time she was having. When he didn’t share her enthusiasm, she chided him, asking why he was so untrusting and negative.

“I have a reason to be untrusting,” Robinson recalls him saying. “I have seen 17 of my friends hanged in South Africa.”

That remark took her breath away: “It was a very powerful moment.”



SEE THE ENTIRE MICHIGAN TODAY ARTICLE BY JULIE HALPERT AT  http://michigantoday.umich.edu/power-of-one/
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I Met the Person Who is My Namesake

10/10/2014

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David Moisi was one of the South African political prisoners sentenced to life (after being sentenced to death and serving two years on death row).  I had been very close to his parents and even his uncle.  In fact, I actually missed my international flight home in 1990 because of a series of very long goodbyes between me and his parents!   I had not been in touch with David for 17 years, but in 2010 I mailed a letter to the only address I had for his family in Sebokeng, South Africa; that that address was 20 years old.  How crazy was that?!!!  His parents had long passed, but incredibly, his sister still lived in the family home.  She forwarded the letter to David and he sent me an e-mail message. 

I began my letter, “It has been so long since I have been in touch, I hope you remember who I am.” 

David began his message,
“Hi Debbie,
 It's been quite long, but worthwhile that we still know about our history of struggle and a long journey to where we are today.  I cannot forget about you…. I have a 16 year old girl who my family named after you: Deborah Lerato Moisi….”

I couldn’t believe it!  I was honored and amazed, but found it really hard to believe.  Maybe it was just a coincidence, and he was being kind.  I didn’t tell anyone because it was possible that I had not understood him correctly. 

Over the years, David repeated the same thing, so I was beginning to believe him, but still I found it incredible.  I was able to speak to his daughter on the phone for a few minutes in April 2014, but we were not able to meet.  I was determined to meet Lerato on this trip and find out if, how, and why she was named Deborah.

On September 4, 2014, Lerato e-mailed me and among other things said:
“As you know I was named after you.  Your name or rather our name has extreme sentimental value to me. I was named Deborah after my grandfather (my father's father). I was told he was decided before I was born that that would be my name because without you, your never dying will, your dedication, your compassion, your hard-work and love for humanity, I wouldn't be here. I know you did not accomplish it on your own but you were there for my family at a time when most feared and ran. You, to me, are an icon, inspiration, and I cannot wait to finally be introduced to you.”

I finally met the person who is my namesake on Sunday, September 7, 2014.  Lerato Deborah Moisi or Deborah Lerato Moisi (I’m not sure if Deborah is the first or middle name) is beautiful, smart and just lovely.  After we sat down and started talking, I asked her what she was told about me; why she was named after me.  When she said that she was told I was a lawyer, I decided I needed to film her response.  I was shocked by what she said next!!!!  She said she was told that I was the lawyer who got him off of death row!!!  OMG!!!  I said NO!!!!  Not only was I not involved in getting him off of death row, I was not and am not even a lawyer!!!  I felt she had been named after me under false pretense; dear old Mr. Moisi had gotten confused and gotten it wrong.  She assured me that the honor was bestowed for other reasons as well.  The excerpt of her interview can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxET2BmjNhc.      When I asked her father about this, he said that I gave the family hope and support.  David Moisi talks about why naming his daughter after me made sense here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFDlqHU-zqo.

Given the restrictions and State of Emergency during the late 80’s, families of people who were politically inclined and arrested were isolated.  It was dangerous for neighbors, friends, and even extended family to visit the family of a political prisoner. If you did, the special branch police would want to know who you are and why you were visiting that family.  Therefore, families of political prisoners really didn’t have people visiting them; they were very isolated from the community.  William Mlambo, who worked for the South African Council of Churches and was assigned to take me around when I interviewed the families of the life prisoners in 1989, talks about that, and the meaning of the Bracelet Program for the families in the excerpt of the interview I did with him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25tIJCj8Ios.  

It was an honor for me to meet Lerato and I look forward to being a part of her life from now on!

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Speaking at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, August 20, 2014

9/29/2014

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Okay, this is not the most flattering photo, but it is the only one I have.  The Nelson Mandela Foundation Center of Memory and the U.S. Embassy in South Africa co-hosted a screening of the film, From Selma to Soweto.  It is one episode in the documentary series, Have You Heard from Johannesburg.  This episode highlights the role of the United States, and African Americans, in the anti-apartheid movement.  I was one of the speakers before the film was shown and made some comments about the movement in general, but talked about “the tipping point” of the sit-in at the South African Embassy in November 1984 that catapulted domestic activism to a new level.  Not only did that one act on Thanksgiving evening lead to daily protests and arrests at the Embassy, it also galvanized increased support for the sanctions legislation in Congress and expanded the divestment campaign to the state and local levels.  In addition, while I had come up with the Bracelet Program idea in 1982, it was the increased activism in South Africa and the sit-in at the South African Embassy that was the tipping point for me to launch the Political Prisoners of South Africa Bracelet Program. 

I also made the point that those who sacrificed for the liberation of South Africa and Namibia, particularly from my perspective those who were sentenced to life, should not be forgotten.  Forty-nine people were given life sentences during the apartheid era because they engaged in activities to bring about political and social change in South Africa and Namibia.  Yet and still, people only know Nelson Mandela.   I asked the audience if they had heard of Bobby Tsotsobe, David Moisi, Eliazer Tuhadeleni, Ncimbithi Lubisi, Naphtali Manana, Immanuel Shifidi, or Lizo Ngqungwana, who were also sentenced to life on Robben Island.  They had not.  I concluded by saying that I am currently working to collect, archive, and share materials from the Bracelet Program so that the sacrifices made by all those sentenced to life, and their families, are not forgotten.

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I Met Lizo Ngqungwana's Wife!!!

8/30/2014

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When I ran the Bracelet Program, I didn't know that Lizo had a wife and daughter.  I came across that information just this week in South Africa.  It mentioned that the wife, Pina Ncata, lived in Gugulethu, a township outside of Cape Town, but that was in 1989.  Yesterday,  I decided to Google "Pina Ncata" and I found several articles about her selling newspapers in the basement of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Mall in Cape Town.  It also said she is there 7 days a week, all day.   As I am in Cape Town, I decided to try and find her.  But what would I say?  Wouldn't it seem odd to her?  How would she react?  The Waterfront Mall is an enormous place; would I even be able to find her?  I decided I had to at least try.  After visiting Jetty #1 (the original disembarkation point to go to Robben Island - that's another whole tory), I entered the V & A Mall.  I knew I had to go downstairs to the very bottom of the Mall, near an exist to the parking garage.  There are several exists to parking garages, but I thought I would start at one end of the mall and work my way to the other end.  As I headed down the final set of escalators, I saw a woman sitting on the ledge right next to the exit selling papers and magazines.  Could this be her?  At the first place I tried?  I walked up to her and asked if she was Pina Ncata.  She smiled and said, "Yes".  I introduced myself and tried to explain how I knew her name and why I wanted to talk with her.  I looked directly at her and said, "You were Lizo Ngqungwana's  wife."  She  looked at me with disbelief because Lizo was killed in a car accident about 16 years ago.  I was getting choked up and overcome with emotion because I couldn't believe that I actually found her.  She said, "Don't make me cry."  I fought back the tears and explained about the bracelet program and that I wanted to put the documents and materials from the program online so that the former prisoners and this part of history would never be forgotten.  I didn't have a bracelet with Lizo's name on it, but I gave her one with Raymond Mhlaba's name, and the Information Booklet from the program.  We talked a long time.  It was a little difficult to understand her because she was in a terrible car accident in 1990 and was in a coma for 2 1/2 months.  When she finally came out of the coma, she couldn't walk or speak.  Although she can now, her speech is still effected and it is difficult to understand her.  But we found a way to communicate.  She even was able to reach her daughter by phone and I had a chance to speak with her.  Pina Ncata has a powerful spirit and is a beautiful person.  She has survived so much tragedy in her life; her husband being sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, her having permanent brain damage from the accident, Lizo dying ironically from a car accident only 7 or 8 years after he was released, the death of her son, etc.  Incredibly, she remains positive and greets everyone with a smile and a "Thank you for being you."  I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Pina Ncata.

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Happy 90th Birthday Toivo ya Toivo!!

8/26/2014

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I had the extreme honor to be present at the "Evening with Ya Toivo" on Thursday, August 21st, in Windhoek, Namibia.  This was one of many events that have been organized around Namibia to celebrate this icon's birthday (which actually was on August 22nd), culminating in the major event on September 13th.  For those of you who don't know, Toivo ya Toivo is the "Nelson Mandela" of Namibia.  The event Thursday was wonderful  There were about 200 people there, and the program was held outside in Parliament Gardens.  Mac Maharaj (official spokesperson for the President of South Africa) was the "keynote speaker" so to say, and he was absolutely incredible.  A close second was when ya Toivo, Maharaj, and Helao Shityuwete (all former Robben Island prisoners) were on stage together reflecting on their experience in prison; it was hilarious and informative at the same time.   That evening made the whole trip worthwhile, but then I was doubly honored to have Ya Toivo and his wife Vicky come to the guesthouse where I am staying and VISIT ME before I fly to Cape Town tomorrow.  WOW!!!  The picture is from that visit.e to edit.
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Documentation Project Now a Sponsored Project of Fractured Atlas!!

8/11/2014

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I am so excited to let you know that the Political Prisoners of South Africa Documentation Project has entered a new phase; it is now a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non‐profit arts service organization!!  This means that contributions to the Documentation Project, via Fractured Atlas, are tax deductible.  There is more information below and on our sponsored project page about how one can make a contribution.

As you may know, the Political Prisoners of South Africa Documentation Project involves collecting, archiving, and sharing materials from the Bracelet Program. 

·         Collecting – Although we have substantial information already, there are gaps.  While we have biographical information about most prisoners before they were sentenced, we don’t have updates in terms of what happened to them after they were released. This material must be gathered.

·         Archiving – Relevant archives (online and physical) must be identified and agreements must be established regarding the use the materials. 

·         Sharing – The Documentation Project will share materials in a variety of ways; online, in archives, via book form, in exhibits, and via a collaborative participatory mural project.  The Mural Project is perhaps the most ambitious initiative. It involves collaborative learning and participatory creative expression in three cities/countries; Cape Town, South Africa, Windhoek, Namibia, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.  The target group for this initiative is youth, and will involve mural artists, educators, community youth groups, university students, and other resource people in each country. 

All of these wonderful activities take resources!  We need your support to make these goals a reality.  Your contribution is truly essential at this juncture.   Won’t you consider making a tax-deductible contribution?   Please click on our "Donate" button for more information.

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Speechless in Windhoek

4/12/2014

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I had the incredible honor of meeting Mr. Andimba Toivo ya Toivo yesterday.  I knew I would be meeting him, but when I entered his office, I became overwhelmed with emotion.  We were shaking hands and it would have been appropriate for me to say my name, but I couldn't get it out.  He asked me my name, and I was SPEECHLESS!!!  For those who know me, you will realize that this doesn't happen.....ever!  I was so overcome, I struggle to get "Deborah" out.  He asked me my family name, and it took what seemed like a lifetime to finally say "Robinson".  Ndilipo Shikomba, the daughter of former SWAPO life prisoner Gaus Shikomba who is taking me around and her friend Amelia, were probably very surprised at my reaction.  I was also, but it was an incredible honor for me to meet one of the founders of SWAPO.  He was the former SWAPO Secretary General and one of the great leaders of Namibia.  After my initial emotional response I was fine and we spent at least an hour talking, taking pictures and joking around.  If THAT weren't enough, later in the day, he invited me and Ndilipo to dinner with his family and friends at a restaurant!!  Yesterday was an incredible day!here to edit.

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Political Killings Still Common in KwaZulu-Natal

4/1/2014

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I was in KwaMashu yesterday with Mrs. Miriam Cele; the woman who, in 1989, took me to visit the families of the life prisoners in the townships outside of Durban.  There was tremendous political violence then, and it continues even now.  This morning, I read in The Mercury newspaper that two men were murdered and one woman injured in KwaMashu over the weekend.  A gunman shot the man and woman through a window in their home.  The man had defected from the IFP (Inkhata Freedom Party) and joined the ANC last month.  Another man was shot and killed an hour later while walking in an alley.  Seven people have been killed and 3 injured in this township since the beginning of the year.  It is rumored that there is a political hit list out on 3 NFP (National Freedom Party) and 3 ANC members.  The brother of one of the men killed said, "It's out of control.  Suspects, in many cases, end up not being arrested and cases fizzle out... peace needs to be restored fast."  All of this reminds me of when I was walking through the Hammersdale township in 1989.  Mrs. Cele was telling me that there had been and is tremendous violence in that area.  It was quiet when were we walking around and I didn't understand how it could be so violent.  She said, "It is quiet now, but just wait until dark; that's when all the violence occurs."  Violence, particularly in this part of the country, is expected on only increase in the run up to the national elections on 7 May.


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Sent My 1st Tweet!!

3/19/2014

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After having a twitter account for over 3 years, I sent my first tweet today!!!!  YAY!!!  Hopefully it will not take another three years to send another.  I will not catapult into being a Twitter Maven, but I will be sending tweets from South Africa and Namibia from @sabracelets, so follow me.  I’m ending all my tweets with #NotForgotten to let the former political prisoners and their families know that they will never be forgotten.  I will also be posting to Facebook.  So I am FINALLY dipping my toe in the 21st Century of social media!!  OMG – I hope I don’t drown!

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