Robben Island Walking Tour

 Robben Island:

Robben Island (Seal Island) has an amazing history. Probably most noted as the prison of Nelson Mandela, but there is more. 

Initially, passing ships would visit Robben Island to replenish their water and fresh meat supplies. Yes, a postal service of sort was established, becoming a major point for the exchange of mail, where letters from an outgoing ship would be left underneath an inscribed stone for collection and delivery by a home-going vessels.

The Dutch actually used the island as a prison for the undesirables who disagreed with Dutch rule. 

It further was used as an asylum for the mentally ill and later as a leper colony. 

During WWII, it was a British Military outpost where guns were stored. 

In 1961, it started being used as a prison again. During apartheid many Black people were kept on Robben Island as political prisoners. Former President Nelson Mandela was kept there. The prison was internationally notorious for its harsh conditions and when the political prisoners of the apartheid government were released, Robben Island became a symbol of the strength of the human spirit.

In 1996 Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site because the buildings on the island are a reminder of its sad history and because the same buildings also show the power of the human spirit, freedom and the victory of democracy over oppression. 

We are doing a walking tour, these tours were recently added so will be an interesting way to learn more.

After another AMAZING breakfast at Table Bay we struck out to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. This morning things were not going as planned and the 0900 departure was delayed over an hour. No Worries. 

We met the walking tour guide and group and received a nice ball cap and water before we struck out. On our previous visit to Robben Island, the only tour offered was the bus tour. This time we chose the walking tour as it affords a more close up look and and you get a better feel for the island as you make stops not on the bus route.

I highly highly highly suggest this tour as the best way to see and experience Robben Island. 

Here are some photos I took along the way.  



                                         

                                            

This is Sparks who was a political prisoner on Robben Island, If I recall correctly his number was 5372. Prisoners were called by number not by name. The number indicates he was the 53'ed prisoner brought to Robben Island in the year off 1972. His crime was recruiting for the ANC (African National Congress political party) at the age of 17, he served 15 years. Nelson  Mandela's number was 46664.
                                             

                                         The Colored/Asian prisoners and the Black Prisoners rations.

                                                                                                                                              

Here is Black C where Nelson Mandela was housed. the yard where he started his garden, and his cell.

The visitation are where a prisoner was allowed one visitor a year.

The kennels for the K-9's used to patrol the prisoners. They were also used to harass the prisoners if it was felt they were not working very hard.

The Limestone Quarry. Here the prisoners worked. Nelson Mandela worked here in the bright sun and his vision was effected by the bright reflection of  the sun. Once there was a reunion of all political prisoners of South Africa, they were gathered here in the quarry demonstrating what their work was like. Nelson Mandela was there demonstrating their work. As they went to leave Mandela picked up his rock and placed in on the ground. The others there saw this and placed their work with Mandela's. Thus this is the pile of rocks one sees at the entrance to the quarry. 

There is an amazing amount of wildlife on the Island. We say several of these turtles, birds and a Stenbok ( he  was moving way to fast for a photo, so I stuck withe the turtle.

As mention Robben Island was also a leper colony for a period of time and here is the leper cemetery

We walked the road and paths the prisoners walked as they went to the limestone quary.

                                                                 This is the old prison

Yes there is an active African Penguin colony on the island and I felt lucky to see these guys.

               This is the ferry one takes from Cape Town to Robben Island

 

 

The conditions for the prisoners was very very harsh and yes cruel, yet it was here and in those conditions they learned not to hate but forgive their oppressors, and for me this speaks greatly of the character of those men. Further this forgiveness was the tool Nelson Mandela used to unite his country.

 

For me Robben Island is a must visit, and if one reads the Book "Long Walk To Freedom" before and yes even after their visit their level of appreciation will be elevated.