Located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, Robben Island was used as a prison, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups, and a military base between the 17th and 20th centuries.

In the 20th century the maximum security prison facilities of Robben Island held for over twenty years within their walls Nelson Mandela and some of his comrades who were most vocal in the fight against apartheid.

Though the original intention was to detain and quiet anti-apartheid political activists here, the results were the total opposite. Robben Island turned out to be the central and pivotal point that propelled the struggle for democracy and representation onto the international stage.

Today this island is a reminder of the refreshing power of forgiveness. For many, it is a destination of political pilgrimage. Robben Island is, according to UNESCO, a witness to the triumph of democracy and freedom from oppression and racism. The institution has, since 1999, enlisted the entire 6 square kilometers of the island as a world heritage site.

Just how far back does the history of Robben Island go? Robben Island was discovered in 1488 by Bartolomeu Dias as he docked on the Table Bay.  The island was utilized by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century. For many years later, the Dutch and British used the island as a prison and outpost. It was in 1591 that the Khoikhoi tribe used the island as a refuges from the trickeries and disagreements they were faced with on the mainland.

At the time the explorers arrived from Europe, hunters and herders of the San and Khoikhoi communities lived in southern Africa. They had been living here for several centuries. It is their search for lush grazing pastures for their livestock that led the two communities to travel south towards Cape Town. Their presence here was beneficial to the explorers as it provided them with trading opportunities. Unfortunately some of the explorers were not interested in trade. Instead, they used their guns to extort from the native communities whatever they needed. Letters could be dropped off and pick up on the island as it was also turned into a post office.

In 1652, Jan Van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape. The Cape at this time became a very important point for refreshment of ships traveling through the southern tip of Africa. An employee of the Dutch East India Company, Van Riebeeck worked to bring many sailors to the Cape of Good Hope. The Khoikhoi people traded their cattle and sheep for tobacco, beads, and metals. At the Cape of Good Hope, ships on traveling to the East Indies were able to replenish their stock of mean and fresh produce.

Robben Island also served as a stopover for those who were too afraid of the local tribes they deemed uncivilized. These sailors stayed on Robben Island where they could hunt seals. This attitude stemmed from the belief that the Khoikhoi tribe practiced cannibalism. Robben Island became increasingly important as clashes increased on the mainland. In spite of the insecurity that prevailed on the mainland, sailors were able to obtain their replenishments and refreshments for their trips to the Indies. These replenishments were vital as they helped in the prevention of diseases related to poor food quality while at sea.

Riebeeck had his men work the on the island to extract whatever resources were available there. As Resistance to the colonial Dutch rule heightened, the colonial regime sent dissenters to the island as its first prisoners. These prisoners included the Khoikhoi and Muslims. Later on, tribal and community leaders such as princes, kings, and religious leaders were sent to the island as political prisoners because of their resistance to Dutch colonial rule.

There is much to see, hear, and feel while on a Robben Island tour. This island that has been the focal point of international interest for many years is located a few kilometers off the Waterfront. Every day there are ferries that carry visitors from Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront to the island. The ferry ride takes an approximated 30 minutes. Once on the island, bus rides take visitors to sites of historical significance such as the Kramat, the Leper Grave Yard, and a chapel designed by Sir Herbert Baker. One of the most significant sites that you will have an opportunity to visit is the lime quarry. It is here that political prisoners spent seemingly endless hours of backbreaking work.

Beyond the grim reminders of a dark past, Robben Island offers its visitors a fantastic view of a shipwreck strew coastline. Here seabirds and antelopes can be spotted. The tour ends with a visit at the maximum security prison.  Here, former inmates will give you a firsthand account of what life at the maximum security prison was like. This tour includes a walk along the Footsteps of Mandela trail in the infamous B-section. The very cell in which Mandela was lockup is bare open while the others are locked. Visitors can access the Cell Stories exhibition in the A-section of the prison. It is here that the realities of prison life on Robben Island are brought to mind.

The Cell Stories exhibition is enriched by the contributions of personal items from former inmates. These items include a special saxophone that was hand crafted using a combination of scraps. The saxophone is still in working condition. Finally, the Smuggled Camera Exhibition can be found in the communal cells. The pictures exhibited here are from a collection of pictures taken by inmates who managed to smuggle in cameras around the 1980s. The pictures give you an insight into the pain, camaraderie, and the eager anticipation that ordeal would soon be over.

Spend R180 per adult and R90 for children aged 0 to 17 and have a three-hour trip that will leave you forever impressed. Book your tickets in advance for your Robben Island trip as tickets sell very quickly. In addition to a wonderful island tour, you will have a fabulous view of Cape Town from the island.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 am and is filed under South Africa Safaris & Tours. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.