Sisulu Robben Island reunion

2001-08-11 16:42

Cape Town - African National Congress patriarch Walter Sisulu on Saturday said he was in "tiptop" shape when he visited his Robben Island cell, number 17, which was his home for 18 years.

He was an inmate of Pollsmoor Prison for an additional eight years.

The former struggle veteran who turned 89 this year along with his entire family of 36 visited the island for a historic family gathering, the first time they had held such a reunion on the island.

The youngest visitor to the island was just nine months old, the granddaughter of Sisulu, and daughter of Ntsiki Sisulu-Singapi.

Sisulu-Singapi said that apart from the family getting together for birthdays this was the first time they had all gathered on the island.

Sisulu, looking frail, was wheeled to his cell where he said it was great to be reunited with the family on the island.

"Such a change has taken place over the years," Sisulu said.

"It certainly brings back some bad memories. The very fact that I entered this cell brings back memories.

"It is the first time the family has had a reunion of this nature."

Asked about his health, he said he was fine and in "tiptop" shape, before the media was ushered out of the cell.

The family posed for photographs in the prison courtyard.

Sisulu's elder son, Zwelakhe, a former journalist and chief executive officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, joined his father and other family members in the cell.

He raised a laugh when the cell door was shut as he stuck an arm through the bars and shouted "Amandla".

Zwelakhe said Saturday's event was "obviously a very profound occasion for all of us. Coming here today, one goes away with very deep emotions."

Sisulu's wife Albertina said: "Today's visit is great. Looking back in that my grandchildren know exactly what happened to the old man."

She said the visit was important to her because it was part of history.

Sisulu and members of his family later toured the prison courtyard and lime quarry before lunching at the island's guest house.

- SAPA