At the age of nineteen, Christo Brand was sent to Robben Island as a member of the South African prison services. Christo was tasked with guarding the most prominent politcal prisoners on the island, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, and Ahmed Kathrada. During this time, Christo formed a friendship with Mandela, which transcended the roles of prisoner and guard, and which continued even after Mandela’s release from prison and ascention to the Presidency of South Africa. Christo is the author of Doing Life With Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend, a fascinating book, which recounts Christo’s memories of Mandela.