These are a series of stories and insights about the failed coup d’état attempt in the Seychelles in 1981, when I was captured and sentenced to death.
I will pick up my story once again, having now spent many months in solitary confinement and having no news from home, one wonders, so what now? Is this to be our lot until the death sentence is finally carried out or would a miracle come our way.
You see there was not much change and no news was forthcoming, much like today. Where the news media is pushing a culture of negativity and this gets us focusing on the negative aspects of life which only cause us to suffer needlessly, happiness eludes us. Remember happiness depends less upon our circumstances than upon our thoughts.
I did learn very quickly that to just sit and feel sorry for myself was not going to do me any good. So I kicked these thoughts into touch and replaced them with a new thought process. I visualised what my life could look like going into the future. This I found exciting and it did not take too long before I found myself with a much healthier outlook and I quite quickly began to feel that there was hope and that one day I would be reunited with my family again.
During the trial, we would be taken down to the court in a military vehicle. There were many twists and turns during the hearings which quickly became a bit of a farce. You see, they had offered the release of the woman who had run our safe house in return for us pleading guilty.
It was really wonderful have my wife with us. We would be able to have a cup of tea after the court sessions and before we were taken back to our cells. I cannot say enough about her bravery during this period. At the beginning she would be picked up by someone from the military or the police and brought to our prison (barracks). During her first few visits she would be confronted by the Tanzanian soldiers who would place a gun close to her body and threaten to shoot her. I think they must have been warned off, for after a while, things settled down. The trial dragged on for a few weeks. This was because a South African intelligence agent, who had also been captured, wanted to have his say in court.
It was during this time towards the end of the trial that one of the most amazing things happened. One day the Major asked if I would like to have my wife come for a meal with me at the barracks. Was this another mind game? One could never be sure. Anyhow, I said that it would be great and I was left wondering what would really happen. The day arrived and true to his word he went to collect my wife from town and he brought her to the barracks. At the appointed time, I was collected from my cell. The Major stayed with us for a few minutes and then he left, leaving a guard to take care of us. This was not the only surprise, as a few minutes later the cell door opened and in walked our waiter, none other than one of my cellmates, who brought the food and a bottle of water, served complete with a towel over his arm, like a maitre d’. It was the same food that we had always had, complete with fish eyes, bones, scales and rice. My wife reluctantly tucked into it, putting on a brave face. So they were not trying to pull the wool over our eyes. It was a wonderful occasion that I will never forget. Even now, I cannot being to explain what that act of kindness meant, not only to me, but to all of us prisoners.
However this event would be spoilt a few days after my wife had left the island. You see, out of the blue and with no warning, I was pulled out of my cell and quickly marched before the Major. One of our defense team thought that they could get a bit of free publicity by sending a false story to the press saying that after the meal I had been taken away and beaten up. All a total lie. The Major was furious and had been hauled over the coals for letting this come about. After a lot of apologising, which included me writing a letter of apology to the president correcting the story, all was forgiven.
It just goes to show you how fragile our position was at the time and how easy it is to derail an event, thus causing a lot of drama for everyone concerned. We’ve all been there at some time in our lives, whether it’s a bad day or a truly terrible situation. Life will try to knock us down.
Fortunately, many coping strategies have been found to be effective at minimising the effects of hardship. One simple but powerful way to enhance resilience is to find a silver lining within painful or arduous situations. All my life I have always been the eternal optimist and I am sure that this has always stood me in good stead. Looking for the silver lining will enhance perseverance during dark times.
What is a silver lining? Silver linings are simple the good aspects of challenging or painful situations. The ability to perceive an optimistic mindset that promotes emotional resilience and the ability to adapt to future challenges. This hopeful approach enables people to view situations through a filter in which they perceive themselves as able to cope with stressors effectively.
Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see a shadow.
Helen Keller
The ability to find a silver lining and the feeling of optimism goes hand in hand and there is clear evidence that they are related to many positive outcomes, such as positive emotional well-being, good health and even lower mortality.
It is common for people to get caught up in the cycle of believing their own thoughts, no matter how unrealistic or unfounded they may be. Individuals have to question their beliefs and thoughts and make these lose their power (if they are false).
As with this period of my life in prison, I do believe that many of us are by now having serious thoughts about what is next? Question your thinking. Once you have a change of attitude, it soon becomes the norm, replacing negative thoughts with positive ways.
I would encourage you to use this time that has been forced on you wisely and look to new pursuits or hobbies. Writing is also very good for the soul. I am confident that it will not be too long before we can all start out on a journey to the new normal and I really hope and pray that it will be a much kinder and more considerate world that we find.
Until next time, keep happy, stay safe and may God bless you and your family.
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