ROBBEN ISLAND

Robben Island has become famous because our past president, Nelson Mandela, was jailed there for 27 years by the former apartheid government.

Written records show that there has been human activity on the island for the past 500 years.  It has been used for many purposes, including political, military, economic and social.  However, it is most infamous for being a political prison during the Apartheid era.  Since 1994, when a new government was elected in South Africa, Robben Island has been declared a national museum, a national monument and will possibly also become a World Heritage Site.  It is now regarded as a memorial to the people over their oppressors.

The island is situated at the entrance to Table Bay and is about 9 km from the Cape Town Harbour.  It was once part of the mainland and was the peak of an ancient, now submerged mountain, known as the Blaauberg – which means Blue Mountain.  Robben Island is 3,4 kms long and holds a village with over a hundred buildings on it.  Places to see include the old prison complex, where tourists can visit the cell occupied by Nelson Mandela for so many years, as well as some Second World War forts and a beautiful natural environment that includes a large variety of birds and animals.  One sea mile around the island is also regarded as part of the museum.  Trips to the island leave from the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, weather permitting.  Every year our senior girls visit the island and find it a very humbling experience.

“FROM INCARCERATION TO LIBERATION

FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF THE BODY TO THE FREEDOM

OF THE SPIRIT

FROM OPPRESSION TO DEMOCRACY THROUGH STRUGGLE”