We took a trip to Robben Island by ferryboat to tour the prison that held various political prisoners during the apartheid era. Located in Table Bay, just seven kilometers off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, Robben Island is roughly three kilometers long and two kilometers wide. Several prominent political figures in South Africa were held prisoner there, most notably former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Nelson Mandela.
The tour was comprised of a bus tour around the island to view the former leper colony, penguins, lighthouse, and stone quarry where the prisoners worked as well as a walking tour of the prison. The tour of the prison was given by a former political prisoner that was held on the island. He was able to give a firsthand account of the living conditions and especially the food since he worked in the kitchen during his time there. On this tour of the prison we were able to see the bathrooms and sleeping quarters as well as the kitchen and recreation areas. The most memorable part of the tour was viewing Nelson Mandela’s former cell, in the high security area. Although it has been repainted, the furnishings remain including a mat for sleeping, a chair, and a bucket for the restroom. The cell was incredibly small as seen below, and it is where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
For more information: http://www.robben-island.org.za/
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