Rations at Robben Island

What a powerful visit today to see where convicted political prisoners were held during apartheid.
Both guides had been imprisoned here-this chap (Sparks) was sentenced when just 17 and spent 7 years here before release and immediate re-arrest on the mainland.

He shows the rations different categories of prisoner received with blacks receiving less than coloureds. In fact black prisoners received no bread at all which they missed dreadfully.

In addition to being called by a number and not a name on incarceration, the indignities included having to go without underpants, socks, long sleeves and jackets.

The other fact I found hard to take was being thrown in solitary confinement for not folding your blanket correctly.

The visit will remain with me for a long time.
Oh how we take freedom and democracy for granted.