Makana F.A.

Makana Football Association was a sporting body formed by political prisoners on Robben Island, South Africa who organised football leagues for fellow inmates.[1] Formed in 1966, the association ran a league until 1973, adhering strictly to the Laws of the Game,[2] the FIFA rulebook being one of the few books in the prison library.[3] It was named after the 19th century Xhosa warrior-prophet Makana, who was himself imprisoned on Robben Island.[4]

Prior to this, the game had been banned by the prison authorities, but starting in December 1964, prisoners took turns to "...request to be allowed to play football" every Saturday.[3] At one point the F.A. was running three leagues, with teams from nine clubs competing.[5] The organisation crossed the political divides in the prison, between the ANC and the PAC, with over half of the inmates involved in the leagues.[5] A small group of prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada were, however, barred from participating in or even watching the matches.[6]

The Makana F.A. was given honorary membership of FIFA in 2007,[7] and in the same year a film was made telling the story of the F.A., entitled More Than Just a Game.[6] Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was a Makana F.A. referee.[2] Others involved in the F.A.'s organisation included Steve Tshwete, Dikgang Moseneke, and Tokyo Sexwale.[2][5]