Robben Island (in Dutch meaning seal island) is the location of the off shore prison where common thieves as well as political prisoners were held during South Africa’s apartheid. The most famous prisoner being Nelson Mandela who was initially incarcerated for his political views of freedom/equality, and after gaining that freedom became South Africa’s president. The following is a summary of info we learned during our island and prison tour.

• In 1960 the prison was built for common criminals but later political prisoners were brought over. However, due to smuggling of information the common criminals and the political prisoners needed to be separated.


• The island at its nearest point is 7.5km from the mainland, of which we have heard that only 2 people have survived the swim after an attempt.


• Life for prisoners was obviously poor; at points they were used as target practice, forced to dig stone which went to build some island buildings as well as a castle in Cape Town. Prisoners were only allowed 30min. visits from their visitors, of whom many traveled days, only to have their session cut short if they didn’t speak English (many of these people had traveled from remote areas of South Africa and so of course did not speak English – this of course the guards knew), often however both prisoner and visitor were told there would be no meeting as the opposite person hadn’t shown up (when of course both were waiting on opposite sides of the wall).


• Other purposes for the island prior to 1960s; housed a hospital for people with mental illness and later become a leprosy colony.


• For additional info I highly recommend googling more info, looking at the following website (http://www.freedom.co.za/) or reading Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” or “ How can a Man die Better” by Robert Sobukwe

September 3rd
Our Clumsy arrival into Africa

September 4th
Driving around

September 5th
Robben Island & Nelson Mandela Gateway

September 6th - 7th
Cape Town

September 8th
Stellenbosch & winery tours

September 9th - 11th
Hermanus / Whales & White Sharks

September 13 & 14th
Wilderness (town's name)

September 15th
Back in Hermanus

South Africa Country Summary