Despite the hardships of prison life, the prisoners clung to the belief that the longer they sustained the momentum of resistance against the authorities, the better the chances of meaningful improvement in their conditions. As time went on, the hope of being released grew, as did the discussions about their post-release activities and their individual roles, which centred around continuing the struggle and leading from the front. From the day they were put into jail, their common agreement had been that those who were fortunate to be released earlier would continue the struggle – either in the country or in exile – until freedom was attained.

Andrew learned in late 1976 that Sylvia was back in South Africa and had joined her two brothers and her mother. He advised June to arrange for her to visit him at the beginning of 1977. He also learned about the involvement of his sons in the activities surrounding the 16 June uprisings and beyond, and the pressure they found themselves in from the constant police harassment. The boys hardly slept at home. To evade arrest, Sello was staying at Jabulani with Ishmail, whose house had become a safe haven for several other political activists running away from the security forces. He later wrote a letter to Sylvia asking her to remind her mother to apply for permission to visit him, adding that he missed her dearly and was looking forward to seeing her soon.

The plan to govern the country had started early in their term. Island prisoners agreed to study further, in preparation. Some struggled, but little by little they progressed. Andrew was among those (including Maharaj, Kathrada and Mandela) who made progress in their studies, but he was worried about Sisulu who, he felt, was being short-changed and made to concentrate on conducting political education and neglecting his studies, although he was one of the first to be allowed to study, more than ten years earlier. Andrew blamed this on his comrades, especially Maharaj and Kathrada, whom he accused of taking advantage of Sisulu and derailing his educational progress. ‘They were not bothered by his slow progress and they kept piling him with political education work.’