A Simple Freedom

by Ahmed Kathrada

In the Robben Island prison register, Nelson Mandela was famously recorded as prisoner number 466/64. Number 468/64 was Ahmed Kathrada. Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 in the infamous Rivonia Trial, Ahmed Kathrada spent twenty-six continuous years in jail for his political beliefs. During his incarceration he secretly jotted down quotations which he came across and proverbs, aphorisms, poetry and drama extracts, and passages from books, magazines and newspapers. On Robben Island these quotations were like familiar friends. They helped steel the soul within the stolen body -- the authorities might control that body but they could not lock up the mind.

149 pages

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Insightful and gracious in the face of the very worst of human nature. An excellent read that I look forward to repeating in years to come.

[Denise Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathy's stories were made all the more poignant for me because I visited Robben Island in 2011. Deeply moving and emotional. A good companion to Nelson Mandela's memoirs.

[Sudeshni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!