page 608 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_608.jpg]

environment. This tendency has always been evident in our organisation inside and outside jail as in many other political organisations here and abroad, and many of our members are affected by it. I often wish Raymond had had the opportunity to be assigned to the national head quarters early in his political career. In our current circumstances where we live closely together under difficult conditions we have to be constantly vigilant against any developments that may directly or indirectly casue discord. Ray and I are working together to ensure that that comradeship which is so vital to an organisation is not undermined. Although at times he hesitates where he should be forthright he understands the value of compromise and his desire for unity is strong and genuine. I have found it easy to discuss mutual probelms with him. Western civilisation has not entirely rubbed off my African background and I have not forgotten the days of my childhood when we used to gather round community elders to listed to their wealth of wisdom and experience. That was the custom of our forefathers and the traditional school in which we were brought up. I still respect our elders and like to chat with them about olden times when we had our own government and lived freely. It is always a great moment when I listen to an expert on our true history, culture, legends and traditions. We used to pester men like Mweli Skota, Selope Thema, Chief Luthuli, Professor Z.K.Matthews, Moses Kotane, J.B.Marks and the amount of knowledge they had on African history was impressive. Their chief strength lay in the fact that their feet were deeply planted in African soil and they used scientific knowledge to enrich our heritage and culture. They could trace the movements of each section of our people from the North, discuss competently the various theories on the subject, the reasons for the many clashes between our people throughout our history, contact with the whites and even attempt to predict the future course of event. The