What a wonderful day - just back from a ferry trip to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. We toured the Nelson Mandela Gateway Museum before boarding the ferry for a 45 minute trip. It was more like a fishing boat than a ferry but an eerie experience as we ventured out into the fog from the port of Cape Town for the 13 km. trip.
Now a museum and a UN World Heritage site, the island is one of the most popular tourist sites in South Africa. We left the boat and boarded buses for a guided tour around the island, stopping at the lime quarry where Mandela and other prisoners slaved. A cave within the quarry was used both as a toilet (they would be shot if they left the quarry pit) and as a lunch area. The phrase 'each one teach one' began there and it became known as the University of Robben Island.
Now a museum and a UN World Heritage site, the island is one of the most popular tourist sites in South Africa. We left the boat and boarded buses for a guided tour around the island, stopping at the lime quarry where Mandela and other prisoners slaved. A cave within the quarry was used both as a toilet (they would be shot if they left the quarry pit) and as a lunch area. The phrase 'each one teach one' began there and it became known as the University of Robben Island.
We were met at the gates of the maximum security section by a former inmate of Robben Island - Derek Grootbroon. Arrested at 19 for his political activities, he was imprisoned in 1986 and was freed along with Mandela in 1990. Can you believe it? He is now working alongside his former prison guards as part of the Robben Island Museum! What does this tell you about these courageous South Africans?
He guided us inside the prison walls where he gave us a detailed account of life for African prisoners in particular. My friend, Archie Sibeko was with us and was visibly moved by the tour. Our tour guide Derek recognized Brother Archie and thanked him for being an inspiration to younger men like him. The whole tour group applauded Archie and it was a beautiful but tearful moment. Then we all walked solemnly by prison cell No. 4 - Nelson Mandela's cell - a bare four by four cell with a bucket for a toilet and very little else.
It was getting late as we left the island and we all left silently, gathering our thoughts on the way back to the boat. The only thing that lightened up our walk was the sight of two penguins (very common creatures on this island and on some beaches near Cape Town).Keep watching for our updates....
1 comment:
Keep the reports coming! Safe travels. It's good to see OPSEU is making a difference!
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