The New Paltz Oracle
Volume 75 Issue 6
Thursday, October 23, 2003
By Daniel Burke , News Editor
Eddie Daniels, author of "There and Back: Robben Island 1964 - 1979," wanted to thank the world for its assistance; he cited their effort as complimentary to that of activists, such as himself, in the fight against apartheid in Africa.
Britain siphoned money to the cause from 1955 until South Africa's National Party fell in 1990. Amnesty International coordinated a bombardment of letters upon government officials. The Red Cross provided food and medicine to many who were otherwise denied. Both youths and adults from throughout the world proclaimed their support for the cause of the African rebels. Every single effort taken for the cause of black Africans, according to Daniels, assisted agitators, such as him, in the overhauling of the government.
"The government was very successful in its divide-and-rule campaign," said Daniels. Though generally defined as a systemic division of the races by means of a complex swirl of political, legal and economic, the toll apartheid was far more dramatic than could be expressed in any legislation. South Africa's National Party had methodically established an apartheid order.
Non-white South Africans were required to carry photo identification cards at all times. By means of "separate but equal" statutes, five classes were effectively manifested: white, black, colored (those of mixed blood), Indian and Asian. Of course whites were inevitably "more equal than others." It was the whites that received the better schools, beaches and parks. A curfew was established for non-whites. They were not allowed to walk in white areas without authorized reason. Even with identification, non-whites were antagonized by the official and they were beaten.
According to Daniels, South African whites were the "most privileged group in the world."
"The government went out of its way to humiliate people," said Daniels. Blacks were predisposed by the National Party to the worst situation of all, and so many would attempt to pass for colored. The rest might yet attempt to pass for white. While Daniels established his photographic studio, so too did he resist the government's placement of people.
"I used my photographic studio as a front for my illegal activities," stated Daniels. Non-whites, including many close friends and family, would approach him, pleading, "Please, I'd like to apply for a white ID," or, "Please make my photos fair." He would do so.
Daniels, teamed with the Liberal Party of South Africa, invaded white parks, only to get thrown out and beaten. He became one of the founders of the African Resistance Movement and took on more of a radical approach.
He was banned. He was detained. He was imprisoned. He was banned yet again.
Though even when facing the possibility of death, Daniels would not negotiate with two Supreme Court judges who offered to release him from Robben Island Prison. The judges would have freed him on the condition of a verbal promise to disengage from committing acts against the state. He refused and served a 15 year sentence.
Prison life was difficult, though his life had known few comforts. But the conditions at this prison were below minimal, inmates were often denied mattresses and slept on the floors. As many as 80 inmates were forced to room within one cell. Daniels, however, received a single cell. They were given inadequate food. The water wasn't clean. Medical care was often beyond reach. They were assigned to strenuous labor and toiled for long hours.
Daniels was able to spend three years alongside then-activist Nelson Mandela, who constantly assured him of the importance of the struggle. Daniels would also achieve two university degrees while in prison.
Eventually the National Party regime would collapse. Mandela would become a democratically elected president, and many South Africans would regain control that they had long since lost to the whites.