Travel

Robben Island Through My Eyes

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.

Pathway to Robben Island

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.

AE at Pathway to robben Island

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.

freedom cannot be manacled

Robben Island Gate

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.

Robert Sobuke's house

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.

lepers grave

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.

lime quarry

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.

garisson church

church

da waal battery

kramat

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.

tour guide

nelson mandela cell

prison cell

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.

ae on ferry

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.

senset at table bay

 

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65 Comments

  • Reply Mr Famo January 16, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Have fun, learn and educate us. Nice one, Anu. Nice one. Keep it up. Greater heights. Prouda you.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks so much dearie…this means a lot

  • Reply Tobi Oyedeji January 16, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Quite interesting, informative and enlightening piece… Findingae all d way

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      Thanks hun 😀

  • Reply Salam sakiru ayo January 16, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Hmmm..awesome…nice 1

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you

  • Reply Ayodele January 16, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    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.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      Will do! Thanks a lot

  • Reply Kofoworola January 16, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    Nice view, more grease dear.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Thanks luv

  • Reply Saliu Damilola January 16, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Nice one Aanu ?? very educating and enlightening ??

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Thanks so much dear

  • Reply sammy January 16, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    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 ?

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 7:13 pm

      Lmao…smh this girl…thanks tho

  • Reply Henrietta January 16, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Nice work…Very educating, I enjoyed every bit of the write up and I Learnt a lot about Robben Island .

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

  • Reply fatimah January 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm

    Its really interesting and educative. You av done a great anny pls keep it up and God will be ur strength dear.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 16, 2016 at 11:28 pm

      :)Thanks Dear…Amen

  • Reply akande oluwadamilola January 17, 2016 at 6:48 am

    Nice work dear

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 9:06 am

      Thanks so much 🙂

  • Reply @ore007 January 17, 2016 at 9:00 am

    @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!

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 9:07 am

      Thanks for the review dear!

  • Reply adebayo January 17, 2016 at 9:14 am

    I enjoyed it and wish I wouldn’t stop reading about Robben Island… Looking forward to the next post

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 9:54 am

      Thanks Dear…Sonnest 🙂

  • Reply Jadesola January 17, 2016 at 10:59 am

    Very very enlightening ….. wow I’m inspired I want to vsit this places also ???? Good work Anu

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 11:18 am

      Lol…u should…thanks so much

  • Reply Azaino January 17, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    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

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Thanks so much dear…more to come! 🙂

  • Reply RMB January 17, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Nice experience to be part of.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Yeah 🙂

  • Reply [email protected] January 17, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    Wow nice one dear, more of it, enjoy urself and let us know more about ur exposure… bigger you I pray

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Amen dear…thanks so much

  • Reply Sola January 17, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    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.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 6:15 pm

      Thanks dear…will be out soonest.

  • Reply David January 17, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    Goingnowhereno1has…..# skyclimb Purplelucious,.skyclimb

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Errrr…*scratches head*

  • Reply kodi January 17, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Yay!! My friend the travel blogger!! Keep up the good work 😀

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 10:47 pm

      Bestie mi! Thanks so much luv

  • Reply tayussleekclothings January 17, 2016 at 10:33 pm

    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.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 17, 2016 at 10:49 pm

      Thanks so much! 😀 really appreciate it

  • Reply Subomi January 17, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    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.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 12:14 am

      Thanks so much Subomi! Glad you like it…More soonest

  • Reply timibracelets January 18, 2016 at 2:20 am

    nice write. so detailed that I was feeling like i was there . thumbs up

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 5:53 am

      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

  • Reply Tibu January 18, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Anu,you have a good work! Keep it up.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Thanks Mr Tibu

  • Reply Ennie January 18, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    This is a double wow!
    Nice one Anu… Great job.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      Thanks so much Ennie!

  • Reply catherine January 18, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Beautiful experience, motivated to travel there to see for myself.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      You should

  • Reply Ajomo Segun January 18, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    wow! this a very nice way of telling african history, I like this, nice one anu, I hope to go there soon. myself.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 20, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Thanks so much Segun. You should! It’s a nice place

  • Reply Damilola Lawal January 18, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Nice write up dear. Very educating.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 18, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      Thank you 🙂

  • Reply bolurin January 20, 2016 at 8:41 am

    Really good

    • ae
      Reply ae January 20, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Thank you! 🙂

  • Reply Ifeoluwa David January 20, 2016 at 11:24 am

    work and fun … best combo.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 20, 2016 at 11:44 am

      U know this 😀

  • Reply Toyin Ale January 22, 2016 at 9:27 am

    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.

    • ae
      Reply ae January 22, 2016 at 10:30 am

      Thanks love! 🙂

  • Reply Hiking Lions Head – FindingAE February 27, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    […] I could also see aerial view of Robben Island which I blogged about here. […]

  • Reply Olusola March 18, 2016 at 10:22 am

    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!

    • AE
      Reply AE March 18, 2016 at 11:01 am

      Hi Olusola! Thanks so much…kindly stick around plus I appreciate the comment.

  • Reply Sunset on Signal Hill – FindingAE March 25, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    […] Robben Island which I blogged about here […]

  • Reply Table Mountain - Africa's New Natural Wonder - FindingAE April 2, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    […] Table Mountain view from Robben Island which I blogged about here. […]

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