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A Prisoner in the Garden
In 1977 the South African prison authorities allowed a number of journalists to visit the notorious Robben Island. The intention was to persuade the outside world that the conditions there were not as bad as widely believed. On their tour of the island the journalists encountered a tall, thin man dressed neatly in prison clothes and leaning on a spade. The expression on his face was one of intense hostility, and his bearing was more that of prince than prisoner.
The man was Nelson Mandela, in his 13th year of incarceration on Robben Island.
Today the photograph, captioned ‘A Prisoner Working in the Garden’ by the prison authorities, forms the centrepiece of the Mandela Prison Archive, which when viewed as a whole constitutes a living record of Mandela’s 27 years in prison. It includes rare photographs and video footage, Mandela’s handwritten letters to family, friends and the authorities, his personal diaries and notes, official records, medical records and legal documents. Together they form an extraordinary picture of prison life but, even more remarkably, of a man who, together with his close comrades, never gave up the fight for freedom and the vision of a liberated country.
This book is bursting with story. The records of Mandela’s confinement are widely scattered – in conventional archives and some surprising personal collections. Readers will learn about chance discoveries and dead ends, crossing paths and painful reminders. The struggle against oppression can be seen as the pitting of remembering against forgetting. A Prisoner in the Garden documents one part of that struggle.
The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Commemoration Project was launched by Mr Mandela as a new programmatic initiative of the Foundation in 2004. Its mission is to tell the stories of a continuing walk to freedom, and it aims to draw the memory resources around Mr Mandela’s life and work into a dynamic, African centre of excellence.
The man was Nelson Mandela, in his 13th year of incarceration on Robben Island.
Today the photograph, captioned ‘A Prisoner Working in the Garden’ by the prison authorities, forms the centrepiece of the Mandela Prison Archive, which when viewed as a whole constitutes a living record of Mandela’s 27 years in prison. It includes rare photographs and video footage, Mandela’s handwritten letters to family, friends and the authorities, his personal diaries and notes, official records, medical records and legal documents. Together they form an extraordinary picture of prison life but, even more remarkably, of a man who, together with his close comrades, never gave up the fight for freedom and the vision of a liberated country.
This book is bursting with story. The records of Mandela’s confinement are widely scattered – in conventional archives and some surprising personal collections. Readers will learn about chance discoveries and dead ends, crossing paths and painful reminders. The struggle against oppression can be seen as the pitting of remembering against forgetting. A Prisoner in the Garden documents one part of that struggle.
The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Commemoration Project was launched by Mr Mandela as a new programmatic initiative of the Foundation in 2004. Its mission is to tell the stories of a continuing walk to freedom, and it aims to draw the memory resources around Mr Mandela’s life and work into a dynamic, African centre of excellence.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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206 people want to read
About the author
Nelson Mandela
262 books2,347 followersNelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, who held office from 1994–99.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2011
This book had tons of pictures of the prison, and the things from Nelson Mandela's past. But my burning question about the details of his own family weren't answered but he may not have wanted that included. A really amazing man who endured so much hardship!
January 21, 2008
This book is amazing. It gives you a sense of the true liberating power social memory and archival records can have. Those interested in archives and social justice should enjoy a glance at this quick read.
February 26, 2013
I love the perspective of the images of Nelson. There is a power and energy only he can transcend from the photo to resonate in your heart and move you. Vivid and Defiant. I love this one. Truly anything by Mandela is fab!
October 8, 2013
A fascinating examination of papers written during the period of Mandela's imprisonment in several different prisons and how they are being used by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to educate people on that historical period in South Africa. Given the level of scrutiny of his papers by prison authorities, I think it's amazing that so much got through to other people or were kept by him.
February 21, 2007
A beautiful book illustrating the power and responsibility of the archival record. "No archival act, it seems, is innocent of power."
January 24, 2008
A look at Nelson Mandela's time on Robbin Island while a prisoner.
September 8, 2008
Great archive of Nelson Mandela's life--very interesting! More books should be compiled about people's lives!
April 18, 2011
It was more about gathering records and documents, than about Nelson Mandela himself, but the pictures were interesting to look at.
September 22, 2007
A compilation of Nelson Mandela's letters from prison.
January 23, 2014
absolutely fascinating. beautifully designed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews