Robben Island
On the cloudy and drizzly morning of August 13, we made our way to Robben Island, “the island” as it is sometimes referred to. We departed from Mandela gateway and after security checks we boarded the Susan Kruger. The distance we would travel on the boat would be 12 kilometers and would take approximately 45 minutes. On the way to Robben Island there were dolphins spotted and a gorgeous view of Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background.
As we were approaching Robben Island, I was very anxious for what we were going to see and learn about. I sat on the boat wondering what all of the prisoners were thinking of as they made their journey to the island. I also was picturing what the Island would look like. In my mind I envisioned one large building made of concrete and surrounded by flat land. What came into view was totally different than the misconception that I had envisioned in my head. The island actually had many more buildings that the one that I had envisioned.
Once we landed on the island we were loaded into buses, and given a short tour around the whole island. Our tour guide for this portion of the trip was Nandipha. Who informed us of the background of the island, as well as some facts and figures. Robben Island is the first World Heritage Site in South Africa and is approximately 574 hectares. The island has been home to many different groups that were placed on the island, including political prisoners, mentally ill people, and lepers. Each of these groups lived on the island at different times and stayed for different amounts of time. There are four different prisons on the island including the maximum security, the medium security, the old, and the Robert Sobukew House, which is actually the smallest prison in the country and was built especially for him. Sobukew is the man who encouraged all black men in 1948 to go to their local police and turn in their passes. This pass gave them restrictions as to where they could go and what times they could be there. That day when they went to turn in their passes 69 people were shot dead, over 100 were injured. He was arrested and brought to the Island. He died at age 54 on the Island. Before his death they realized that his vocal cords were being damaged, because he was not allowed to talk to anyone, so they started to let his family members visit him. Some of the other buildings on the Island include churches, housing for workers, used to be housing for wardens and their families, a primary school, a shooting range.
The island has been home to hundreds of people throughout the years, and is also known as the prison in which Nelson Mandela was held during his imprisonment. While on the tour, we met another man who called Robben Island his home and even today calls it home. He is a former political prisoner who now works as a tour guide on the Island. Ntozelizwe Talakumeni ((58/86) prison number/year arrested), he was arrested in 1984 and sentenced in 1986 for14 years. While he lived on the island he resided in section F, Cell #1. Inside of this cell there also lived approximately 80 more inmates. On 2 February, 1990 all political prisoners were to be released. They did this releasing in groups and Ntozelizwe was apart of the third group to be released. He ended up serving four years in prison.
When asked why Ntozelizwe wants to work on the Island, the place where he was imprisoned, he responded in such a neat manner with a smile on his face. He informed me that in 1995, Nelson Mandela called upon all the former prisoners and they met for the second time since being released. Mandela was asking about the Museum of Robben Island that was going to be opened and the way in which they, the prisoners, wanted it to be. The prisoners all agreed that they wanted to be the ones to run this museum and to tell the story of the Island. They wanted this Island to be a chance for the world to learn and discover, and wanted to show everyone that they don’t bear any anger or grudge against their fellow brothers and sisters.
Most of the tour guides on Robben Island are former prisoners that share their insights and their personal experiences from their time on the island. This personal experience and expertise makes the visit even more interesting, especially to hear them speak of how they were treated and what they had or did not have during those times.
Robben Island is currently under construction, in order to preserve the buildings that are falling apart. Section B in the Maximum Security Prison where not only Nelson Mandela was held, but also where many of the other important political prisoners were kept. They did however have a replica of what these cells were like. It was interesting to think of these men trapped in such a small confined area, yet they never gave up hope and always believed that one day they would be free, one day they would have the rights they deserved.
Another prisoner that I learned about during my visit to Robben Island was Ahmed Kathrada. I read a short book by him on the trip home from the island called “A Free Mind: Ahmed Kathrada’s Notebook From Robben Island” Kathrada spent over twenty years in prison, from 1964-1989 and became a Member of Parliament in South Africa. During his stay on Robben Island he created a journal of inspirational quotes, which he had to keep a secret from the wardens.
“No one can be perfectly free until all are free; No one can be perfectly moral ‘till all are moral; No one can be perfectly happy ‘till all are happy.” –Herbert Spence (p.124)
Unfortunately the warden was not working on the day we visited the shop on the island, so I could not ask him any questions regarding working there. But I did find it intriguing to learn that the warden who was in charge of these prisoners still resides on the island and works side by side with the prisoners that he was once in charge of.
As we were leaving the tour and making our way back to the boat, which would take us back to the mainland and culminate our journey to the island. Margaret pointed out a Calla Lily, which is the Peace Lily. The lily was so bright and beautiful against the backdrop of dark gray. It was a symbol of hope for years to come that this peace can remain and that there never again will be a dividing between colors of skin. Having this lily on the Island seemed like such a unique aspect, that it is there every day to show that peace can exist.
Time Line of Robben Island
400 years ago the Island was used for banishment/political troublemakers
1658- First prisoner was taken to Robben Island
1659- This prisoner escaped by boat
1861- The Island became a hospital for the mentally ill
1940’s- Military base in World War II
1960- The first visitors block was opened and prisoners would have 30min. with their family members. Could only speak in Afrikaans or English and could only discuss family matters and there was a thick piece of glass separating the visitor from the prisoner
1963- Maximum security prison built by the prisoners and could hold up to 800 prisoners
Lepers brought to the island because ‘out of sight out of mind’ was the way the government thought. The Lepers were separated by male and female as well as by racial lines. The reason for this separation was that they did not any children being born, yet 42 healthy children were born and taken away to the main land
1967- The Red Cross came to the island after Nelson Mandela secretly wrote a letter to them complaining about food and clothing
1979- The prisoners received beds to sleep on
1982- The prisoners were involved in a hunger strike
1990- The first political prisoners were let off the island
1991- The last group of political prisoners left the island and common law prisoners started to be taken to Robben Island
1996- Robben Island closed
For more information about Robben Island check out their website!
