The Last Political Prisoners on Robben Island

Paul Langa in G section in Robben Island Maximum Security Prison in April 1991, only days before his release. The photo was taken with a camera that had been smuggled into prison. 

The 27th of April is Freedom Day in South Africa. The first democratic, all-race elections were held on this day in 1994, exactly 30 years ago today. 

My husband Paul was released from Robben Island Maximum Security Prison on the 27th of April 1991 after serving 14 years. He was sentenced to 35 years imprisoned in 1977 for sabotage, terrorism and treason (he was one of the leaders of the Soweto uprising). 

He was among the last political prisoners to leave Robben Island. If I remember correctly, they were 33 in total. They could have left a few weeks earlier but they refused to sign a form from the State declaring proving that their actions had been of a political nature, that they regretted his actions and that they would not sue the Apartheid government for its various violations of human rights, including torture. 

Nelson Mandela eventually solved the problem. Here’s a short video of Paul telling his story (from earlier this month).