"Robbens Island" Robben Island Tip by nichole_521

ROBBENS ISLAND

Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela and thousands of other people were kept as prisoners until the early 1990’s. The ferry to the island leaves at the V&A Waterfront near the red Clock Tower on the hour. The price is R150 and includes the ferry ride to and from the island (30 minutes), a bus tour around the island (an hour) and a visit to the Maximum Security Prison which is lead by an ex-political prisoner. There is also a museum, an African penguin boardwalk and Murray’s Bay Harbor.

Robben Island is known around the world for the imprisonment that occurred there, for 400 years it was a place where political ‘troublemakers’ and the ‘unwanted society’ were forced to call home. Prisoners were treated cruelly and different depending on their race. To hear the personal story of an actual prisoner was profound. The way the past prisoners have turned Robben Island into a place that speaks freedom instead hatred is amazing act of humanity.

In the museum there are great artifacts on display such as letters, soap, personal items of the prisoners and stories that give you a small glimpse of what life was like for them.

Robben Island is part of the Western Cape that should be experienced while visiting. It offers a day of great educational value.