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When Football United Prisoners

During the apartheid era, in-mates of Robben Island fought to set up a football league - the Makana FA. It became a powerful symbol of resistance.

*** This programme was first broadcast on 19 June, 2010 ***

Alan Green travels with former prisoner Sedick Isaacs to Robben Island.

We hear how, despite the brutality and hardships, in-mates fought for the right to set up one of the most extraordinary football leagues - the Makana FA - which became a powerful symbol of resistance.

While on the island Alan visits Nelson Mandela's cell and the football pitch on which the in-mates played.

He also talks to another former prisoner Lionel Davis who speaks of the atrocities the in-mates faced on a daily basis, and Professor Chuck Korr who wrote a book about the Makana FA called 'More Than Just a Game'.

(Image: Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island, Credit: Getty Images)

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28 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 Jun 2010 11:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 19 Jun 2010 01:32GMT
  • Sat 19 Jun 2010 06:32GMT
  • Sat 19 Jun 2010 11:32GMT

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