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!!!

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.