page 523 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_523.jpg]

Coloureds from whites perhaps because I have never lived in the Western Cape for any length of time. Anyway he promised me to return later that evening with some sandwiches, tobacco and newspapers for us, which he did. This became a regular practice almost every evening for the whole fortnight which I spent on the Island. In rendering this assistance this warder was taking great risks and jeopardising even his employment if he were to get caught. He was aware of this and warned me that he was only prepared to deal directly with me and that the whole transaction should remain strictly between the two of us. I fully appreciated his position. At the same time I was elated that there were to be found such sympathetic men in the service and was determined that such channels should be preserved and cultivated. We shared the sandwiches among the 4 of us. The tobacco went to the only two smokers amongst us, Steve and John. I used to give the news outtings to John to read to us. Some evenings, despite having heard the news read, I would re read some of the news items again for my own benefit.

The value of such contacts are extraordinarily great. Hardly had we set foot on the Island when the prisoners grapevine buzzed with the new of our arrival. A good number of political prisoners were Congressites. Of the political prisoners at the time the larger number belonged to the PAC. Whatever their persuasion it was certain that there were some I knew personally. Even among the non politicals I could expect to know many on account of my profession. But we were kept strictly isolated. Among those serving was my Treason Trial colleague George Peake a Coloured People's Congress leader and member of the Cape Town City Council at the time of his arrest and who had been sentenced to 3 years for attempted sabotage under the old Explosives Act. George was a