page 499 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_499.jpg]

and who was then vice president of the Institure, visited me on behalf of the World Council of CHurches and undertook to arrange for the payment of my children's school fees; a well known traditional leader sent me R10 towards my defence costs; some came under cover names and addresses and I realised how close the link was between the prison authorities and the security branch, for on every occasion on which I had such visitors, the Commanding Officer tactfully tried to extrat their true identity from me but in vain. Harold Wolpe and the Reverend Arthur Blazall sent me reading material; David Astor, now Lord Astor, propietor of the London "Observer" sent me a few books; I had several visists from Walter Sisulu, Duma Nokwe, Ruth Slovo and Ahmed Kathrada, who brought me a wide variety of newspapers and magazines and who was well acquainted with my reading tastes; my friend Adelaide Joseph, whom I lovelingly referred to as Addy, daily brought me delicious curry dishes and chatted with me every time she visited me. Among the many others who visited me at the Fort were Henry Makhothi, Gabula Mahlasela and Stephen Segale.

As usual the amount of food was too much for me and I shared it with my fellow prisoners in the hospital.

It was on this occasion that I fully discovered what a man with wealth and influence can really achieve. Money can batter down racial barriers with ease and make a prisoners life almost a picnic. One day when I was doing my daily exercises I met Moosa Dinath who was serving a 2 year sentence for some non political offence. I had known him outside as a prosperous business man but