Unisa Press

Robben Island to Wall Street

Author: Gaby Magomola
Published: January 05, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-86888-570-1
Number of pages: 328
Contact:

To buy the book contact UNISA Press on +27 (0) 12 429 3515/3448
How to buy:

To buy the book contact UNISA Press on +27 (0) 12 429 3515/3448
This book is also available in electronic format
ISBN: 978186888-8665
How to buy:

Book is not available in e-book format, for more information please contact UNISA Press to buy the book on +27 (0) 12 429 3515/3448

About the book

Dr Gaby Magomola’s book reflects on a critical time in the history of South Africa.

Taking broad lyrical strides across various major crucial epochs in the history of this country, Gaby offers an insider’s view of a number of key events. During the 1960s, the country was in the grip of various uprisings leading to the Sharpeville massacre, and the arrest and incarceration of various leaders and activists of the day, including the young Gaby. Some years later, the Soweto uprisings followed, while during the 80s and early 90s the repressive reign of PW Botha prevailed – which later ended with the subsequent demise of Apartheid.

This true account is a significant contribution to documenting life in Apartheid South Africa. In looking wider than the inside of Robben Island, as one of South Africa’s most symbolic centres of incarceration during the dark days of Apartheid, Gaby Magomola elevates this personal story to a life-affirming tale of courage and hope for all generations.

Table of content

Acknowledgements vii
Foreword ix
Part 1: 1994 1
1 Robben Island revisited 3

Part 2: 1982–1990 11
2 To Vilakazi Street, Soweto 13
3 Crossing the Rubicon 36
4 My suburban bridgehead 44
5 The African Bank 49
6 One for the road 60

Part 3: 1943–1963 67
7 Sontaha ya Mehlolo: A Sunday in March 1963 69
8 Bekkersdal 75
9 Growing pains 81
10 My political awakening 83
11 The initiation 87
12 The betrayal: Number Four Prison 93
13 Welcome to my farm. Welcome to the party 100
14 Journeying to Robben Island 112
15 The reception 118

Part 4: 1963–1967 127
16 Robben Island, Prisoner Number 837/63 129
17 Unzima lomthwalo (This burden is heavy) 138
18 Christmas on the Island 148
19 The melting pot 152
20 The wheels come off 156
21 My B trumpet 166

Part 5: 1967–1970 173
22 Goodbye Robben Island 175
23 ‘By ministerial order, you are banished’ 180
24 Chloe sisal plantation 190
25 This could be a new beginning 203

Part 6: 1970–1976 209
26 Unstoppable, a new man 211
27 Picking up the pieces 217
28 Searching for a career 222

Part 7: 1976–1982 235
29 You are a free man, Gaby 237
30 Midwest, USA 241
31 American discoveries 250
32 I stumble into banking 254
33 ‘Welcome to New York City’ 265
34 A look into the future 272
35 On Broadway with the stars 277

Part 8: 1990–2009 291
36 A summing up: of this and no other soil 293
Glossary 301
Bibliography 303
Index 304
Illustrations 321
vi

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