Growing up I had heard a lot about Robben Island and as such I doubt there is anyone who has not, however, just in case, it is most popular for being the place Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s anti-apartheid revolutionist, later President was incarcerated for 18 years out of his 27years jail time.
I was now in Capetown and as such it was one of the first few places I saw, also considering the fact that it is listed as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites, it was a must see. After surviving the wait as there are a lot of tourists at this time of the year and its preferable to book online, I finally got on a ferry to Robben Island, I was so excited to see people from diverse race and background also visiting as it felt good to see a lot of people also uniquely interested in African history and culture.
The ferry ride took about 45minutes and then we were at Robben Island. On getting to the island we had tour buses waiting for us with a tour guide who showed us round, ours was particularly funny and witty, he would ask us what country we were from and told us the roles our various countries played in the South Africa’s Struggle against Apartheid.
Our first stop was at Robert Sobukwe’s house, he was one of the foremost proponents of the anti-apartheid movement. Many believe the struggle started with Nelson Mandela but it however started with Sobukwe who commanded a lot of respect from the then South African Blacks, we were told of the influence he wielded even right in prison such that he had to be kept in solitary confinement so as to prevent chaos. He is however one of the least documented freedom fighter in South Africa.
Robben Island before what it is today was a place of banishment, we were made to understand that, there were not only political prisoners on the island but also notorious criminals , lepers and people who were banished due to one illness or the other were inhabitants of the island. They also had a graveyard exclusively for the lepers on their death. Robben Island was not only home to South African prisoners but also prisoners from other countries.
Next we moved up to the lime quarry, this was where prisoners were made to work for hours, here there were exposed to harsh conditions and weather. Despite that, they sang freedom songs to soar their spirits. Education was of importance to the prisoners and despite the hard labor they still undertook distance learning courses and most of them left the island with a minimum of one degree.
Also there were stops at the Garrison Church, Da waal Battery where a bit of world war II was mentioned and how it was built to defend Capetown , also there was the Kramat which is a burial site for a Muslim sheikh.
Finally the bus tour ended and we were then taken on a foot tour, we were quite fortunate to have us a tour guide who was once held prisoner on Robben Island, he recounted to us his experiences, the daily routine of prisoners, the means of communication when letters were being censored, the failed attempts at escape and the protest for shoes and better clothing(trousers) by going on hunger strike. He showed us Nelson Mandela’s cell, the sports ground and also cells in other blocks.
Robben Island was a great experience, I was able to transcend through time and space, I was able to perceive the experience of years before i set foot on the island through the vivid recounts and was glad I came around.
We left Robben Island back to the V and A waterfront during sunset, the view was awesome, worth watching and taking a few clicks, I also saw a shark jump out of the sea although I wasn’t able to take a click of that.
65 Comments
Have fun, learn and educate us. Nice one, Anu. Nice one. Keep it up. Greater heights. Prouda you.
Thanks so much dearie…this means a lot
Quite interesting, informative and enlightening piece… Findingae all d way
Thanks hun 😀
Hmmm..awesome…nice 1
Thank you
Wow! Mandela is unequivocally in a country known for its deep divisions and tumultuous racial history, Anny,am really enlightened by ur great visit over there. Dis a great opportunity. keep dat spirit up dear.
Will do! Thanks a lot
Nice view, more grease dear.
Thanks luv
Nice one Aanu ?? very educating and enlightening ??
Thanks so much dear
Why didnt u jump and run/swim after the shark then get sm1 to photograph the moment? A good story needs corroboration. … nice write up anyway! But that’s how u will be replying every comment then when you start getting 100+ visits/comments u will turn to a proud peacock ?
Lmao…smh this girl…thanks tho
Nice work…Very educating, I enjoyed every bit of the write up and I Learnt a lot about Robben Island .
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Its really interesting and educative. You av done a great anny pls keep it up and God will be ur strength dear.
:)Thanks Dear…Amen
Nice work dear
Thanks so much 🙂
@findingae me as a lover of literature finds your writing captivating and very insightful. You also got story telling technic in you which makes your writing more enjoyable. Kudos to you dear! BTW, the photography too is ?? It corroborated your story well. We’ll done!
Thanks for the review dear!
I enjoyed it and wish I wouldn’t stop reading about Robben Island… Looking forward to the next post
Thanks Dear…Sonnest 🙂
Very very enlightening ….. wow I’m inspired I want to vsit this places also ???? Good work Anu
Lol…u should…thanks so much
It was more like I was seeing an interesting movie, when going through your experience in robben island…thanks for sharing your experience with us… Ur narration of events was very explicit …. And I look forward to see more Well done
Thanks so much dear…more to come! 🙂
Nice experience to be part of.
Yeah 🙂
Wow nice one dear, more of it, enjoy urself and let us know more about ur exposure… bigger you I pray
Amen dear…thanks so much
Lovely piece, Anu. For me the pictures made the piece much more lovely and of course your very skilled story telling ability. Keep it up and I am looking forward to the next piece.
Thanks dear…will be out soonest.
Goingnowhereno1has…..# skyclimb Purplelucious,.skyclimb
Errrr…*scratches head*
Yay!! My friend the travel blogger!! Keep up the good work 😀
Bestie mi! Thanks so much luv
Am a first timer on this blog..so firstly I like to say “beautiful template” you’ve got here.
Usually,have got little or no chill for anything not medical or fashion…But,damn!! You are quite captivating with this writeup..I enjoyed reading every part of it and the choice of pictures and how they were placed is commendable…good job..Get even better.
Thanks so much! 😀 really appreciate it
An educative yet interesting post, love the way u carried me through the whole experience from the comfort of my bed and yet didn’t bore me nor bamboozle me with too much new info.. Keep it up,i am expecting more.
Thanks so much Subomi! Glad you like it…More soonest
nice write. so detailed that I was feeling like i was there . thumbs up
Thanks so much Timi! I appreciate the fact that u drop comments to let me know what u think abt the posts…kindly ensure u kip them coming…Cheers
Anu,you have a good work! Keep it up.
Thanks Mr Tibu
This is a double wow!
Nice one Anu… Great job.
Thanks so much Ennie!
Beautiful experience, motivated to travel there to see for myself.
You should
wow! this a very nice way of telling african history, I like this, nice one anu, I hope to go there soon. myself.
Thanks so much Segun. You should! It’s a nice place
Nice write up dear. Very educating.
Thank you 🙂
Really good
Thank you! 🙂
work and fun … best combo.
U know this 😀
Wow..Anu great one!..the description was so vivid and assisted by quality pictures.you looked great as well, and I could feel myself going on d journey with you.
Thanks love! 🙂
[…] I could also see aerial view of Robben Island which I blogged about here. […]
Wow! Am exhilarated to see that you are doing such a great job! This blog is quite different from many am used to yet very interesting and captivating! Good job dear, greater heights!
Hi Olusola! Thanks so much…kindly stick around plus I appreciate the comment.
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