The “Americans” in South Africa
Recently I lead a professional corrections delegation to South Africa through a program begun by President Eisenhower in an effort to promote global dialogue and international understanding. The hopeful result of which would be to work toward a sustained peace in all of the respective nations visited. The demystification of culture, religion, and people can provide the opportunity to experience our global similarites, and differences shared; also to promote a healthy educative process to replace skepticism. After all, people are people, and we share in that commonality as well as our basic human needs.
Corrections delegates from across the United States participated in the delegation comprised a variety of backgrounds.
The delegation met with corrections ministers, legal aid representatives, police, and reentry professionals. The frank and open discussions at the respective Departments that took place revolved around similar issues to those encountered in the United States, but of a depth and severity that this country should never experience. The stark contrasts of beauty and brutality were evident throughout the country, and in every aspect of its history and culture: HIV/AIDS, overcrowding, 40% unemployment, poverty, and the chasm between the classes.
We were not however prepared to face the connotation of a notorious named gang in Cape Town, nor shall I say the impact that names can have. Our story began in the Pollsmoor Prison in South Africa, a place where Nelson Mandela spent several of his 27 years of incarceration. This prison has the capacity to accommodate a capacity of 4,000 inmates, but our recent visit yielded roughly 8,000.
Pollsmoor claimed to have a staff of approximately 1,200; however, the ratio provided was approximately two wards to 400 inmates at this particular facility. An expansive place, it stretched for what seemed miles of buildings and razor wire, a definition more in line with a compound than a facility. Within its fences reside the notorious “numbers gangs,” or the 26s, 27s, and 28s, an ever-present part of the overall prison composition. These gangs are well over 100 years old, and indicative a cultural and systemic issue that plagues both the United States and South Africa. Originating in the jails, mining compounds, and informal settlements of turn-of-the-century Johannesburg, they constitute a formidable entity in every prison across the country, and originate from a combination of folklore and the real historical figure who founded them. The originator is thought to be a man by the name of Nongoloza Mathebula, an early Johannesburg bandit, who built a quasi-military band of outlaws known as the early “Robin-Hoods.” These so-called Robin Hoods fought the oppression regime of the imperialists and provided active resistance during the mining camp enslavement era. The group eventually split into three segments, relegating distinct roles and tasks. The 26’s were to accumulate wealth, which was to be distributed among all three segments, through cunning and trickery but never violence. The 28’s were to fight on behalf of all three groups for better conditions for inmates. They were also permitted to have sex among themselves, in their own ritualized manner, but they were never to touch a 26. As for the 27’s, otherwise known as the franse or non-gangsters, they were the guarantor of gang law; they were to keep the peace between the three camps. They would learn and retain the laws of all three gangs, as well as the laws of the relationships between gangs. In addition, they would right wrongs by exacting revenge: when blood was spilled, they would spill blood in turn.
These gangs are rampant throughout the country but are most predominant in the area of Cape Town, and the specifically the Cape Town flats.
By far, however the vast majority of members hail from a group called the “Americans.” Yes, the “Americans.” During our visit of the Pollsmoor Prison, a gang member from the 26’s spoke with me regarding his latest incarceration there at the facility. His name is Bernard, and he is approximately 35 years old. A light skinned “coloured” from the Cape Town Flats Township; he was tattooed over every inch of his skin that was visible beyond the bright orange prison uniform. On his forehead offset to the right was the number “26.” Upon asking him about his gang affiliation, he quickly replied that he had “renounced the gang.” His words however rang untrue as he discussed his activities both in and outside of the prison. His personal story was one that began at age 14 upon his first incarceration. He related that all of his adult life had been in state controlled institutions, and his most recent high court sentence was one of 25 years, of which he had completed 10. In South Africa, all sentences run concurrent, and 25 years actually means 25 years. He was sentenced for a drug related home invasion where several people were killed. As evidenced by his visible affiliation with the 26 gang, the assumption was that he was affiliated with the Americans as well.
There was much discussion about the origins of the name amongst our delegation, but now the opportunity presented itself to find out the reason for the moniker. Bernard replied in earnest much to the shock of all who heard him. When asked directly where the name came from, he simply responded with another question to us which was meant to be rhetorical, “aren’t you all American, then you already know.” His eyes swept us up and down taking in our attire and jewelry, and after a slight pause he stated “you are rich…you are greedy….and you take what you want.” Not finished with his response, he ferreted for a small piece of paper torn and yellowed in a scrapbook of sorts and presented it to us. He pounded his chest with a clenched fist and proclaimed, “George Bush….my hero…..he will take what he wants.” Therefore, it was the perception of the 26 gang that our Country was motivated by Capitalistic wants and desires, and will employ ruthless means to attain its individual personal financial goals.
This was a frightening glimpse of the mindset cultivated by a vicious street gang as well as the perception of Americans, and our Country. Are we for the most part a wealthy country, yes. Are we besieged with issues that are commensurate with the wealth and power that we have attained in this country, yes. I will say that with this revelation as to the origins of the name, my heart sank. That a gang of miscreants would capitalize upon the ill-perceived notion that ALL Americans are as dishonest and malicious as a small portion of our represented nation is, is almost beyond my comprehension. Nevertheless, we as Americans need to understand the tarnished image that we have outside of the United States, and begin to take a serious look at ourselves. We need to ask why, and reach deep for the answers within ourselves. At some point, I do hope that we can overcome the negative images and perceptions of the global community and work toward a sustained understanding and mutual respect based upon real ideals.