Robben Island has in the past few years changed from being an infamous incarceration centre to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 12 km from Cape Town in the West Cape Province of South Africa, Robben Island was for more than three centuries used as a place for banishment and imprisonment. It was here that political and human rights activists were incarcerated by the rulers of the day to thwart their quest for liberalization.
In addition to being used as prison, Robben Island was also used as a military base in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for socially unacceptable groups such as lepers, outcasts and the chronically ill (1846-1931).
Although it had been in existence for over three hundred years, Robben Island came into the international limelight in the late 20th century during the apartheid years. This was the era in which South African freedom fighters, including Nelson Mandela - former president of South Africa- and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, among other leaders were imprisoned. Mandela was sent to Robben Island in 1963 after receiving a life imprisonment and he remained at the 6 sq km island for 27 years.
Political prisoners in Robben Island were often jailed together with common-law prisoners, and the only contact they had with the outside world was limited to two letters a year. After the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, the remaining political detainees were set free in 1991. In 1996, the common law prisoners were also transferred to the South Africa mainland.
In 1997, the island was changed into a museum, the Robben Island Museum, which is today a cornerstone of South Africa's heritage. By running educational programs for schools and other visitors, and facilitating more research about the island, the museum promotes tourism development and archives South Africa historical information. In 1999, UNESCO declared Robben Island as a World Heritage Site.
Robben Island's elevation to a world heritage site, according to UNESCO, symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit, freedom and democracy over oppression. Apart from Robben Island, South Africa has seven other world heritage sites. Among these are the environs of Kromdraai, Sterkfontein, and Swartkrans, where the famous Taung Skull fossil was discovered in 1924.
Robben Island constitutes one of the most important breeding ground for bank cormorants, crowned cormorants, and Hartlaub's gulls. In addition, it hosts an increasing population of African black oystercatchers, which forms about 5% of the species' global population.
Robben Island Museum is reached via ferries. All ferries depart from Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Once on the Island, visitors are shown around the former prison whose tours depicts the lives of political prisoners detained from 1960?s to 1990. Former Robben Island prisoners conduct the prison tours. Ferries depart from Nelson Mandela Gateway daily at 9am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm. The standard tour to Robben Island is three and a half hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. - 14915
In addition to being used as prison, Robben Island was also used as a military base in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for socially unacceptable groups such as lepers, outcasts and the chronically ill (1846-1931).
Although it had been in existence for over three hundred years, Robben Island came into the international limelight in the late 20th century during the apartheid years. This was the era in which South African freedom fighters, including Nelson Mandela - former president of South Africa- and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, among other leaders were imprisoned. Mandela was sent to Robben Island in 1963 after receiving a life imprisonment and he remained at the 6 sq km island for 27 years.
Political prisoners in Robben Island were often jailed together with common-law prisoners, and the only contact they had with the outside world was limited to two letters a year. After the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, the remaining political detainees were set free in 1991. In 1996, the common law prisoners were also transferred to the South Africa mainland.
In 1997, the island was changed into a museum, the Robben Island Museum, which is today a cornerstone of South Africa's heritage. By running educational programs for schools and other visitors, and facilitating more research about the island, the museum promotes tourism development and archives South Africa historical information. In 1999, UNESCO declared Robben Island as a World Heritage Site.
Robben Island's elevation to a world heritage site, according to UNESCO, symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit, freedom and democracy over oppression. Apart from Robben Island, South Africa has seven other world heritage sites. Among these are the environs of Kromdraai, Sterkfontein, and Swartkrans, where the famous Taung Skull fossil was discovered in 1924.
Robben Island constitutes one of the most important breeding ground for bank cormorants, crowned cormorants, and Hartlaub's gulls. In addition, it hosts an increasing population of African black oystercatchers, which forms about 5% of the species' global population.
Robben Island Museum is reached via ferries. All ferries depart from Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Once on the Island, visitors are shown around the former prison whose tours depicts the lives of political prisoners detained from 1960?s to 1990. Former Robben Island prisoners conduct the prison tours. Ferries depart from Nelson Mandela Gateway daily at 9am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm. The standard tour to Robben Island is three and a half hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. - 14915
About the Author:
Andrew Muigai is the MD of Africapoint.com, a travel agency that provides South Africa tour services and South Africa Hotel reservations among other Africa travel services.
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