Buzzing Around The World With Fellette & Doug

Robben Island, Cape Town....

Robben Island, about 13 kilometres out from Cape Town has a varied history, including a leper colony and military base.

It was made famous by being made into a prison island that at one time held as many as 1200 prisoners, mostly political. The most famous being Nelson Mandella. It is now a Historic National Site.

There are special ferries that take controlled groups out on a tour that lasts about 2 1/2 hours, not including ferry time. We bought our tickets the day ahead for an early start, 9 AM. We went with two other couples. The catamaran held about 100 people.

The day was a bit foggy and chilly. A good setting to visit such a solemn place. Upon arriving we were broken into three groups. We first toured the actual prison. The tour guides here are ex-prisoners. They emphasis the political aspect of their 'crime.' Criminal prisoners were held in a separate facility. Only black males were housed here. We were thoroughly briefed on life here, from clothing, to bathing, ablutions, recreation and sports facilities.

They have preserved the site from deterioration, there is a staff of about 180 employed in various functions there. We were given time to view the cell blocks and all the facilities in use at the time. Nelson Mandella, who is held in very high esteem, has his cell shown as it was during his early time there.

The cell is about seven feet by eight feet, no bed, merely a felt pad and a few blankets, a stool, a widow, above eye level, barred and of course the massive barred door. A bucket was there for toilet use during the night. The first job in the morning was to clean up your cell including the bucket in the wash house.

The prisoners had very little chance to mingle at first, but with the passage of time and international pressure things slowly improved. My impression, and it is only my thought, is that the prisoners were not treated with brutality, but rather very strict and primitive, degrading treatment. The most troublesome were given the very basics of treatment such as rare visitations, little communication and few chances to be with others (in other words, isolation). Our guide was not bitter.

From what limited time we have had listening and talking to the locals in our brief stay here, there seems to be a deep sense of pride in the country. This tour was not what you would call uplifting, but I am glad we went, it helps to give a better understanding of where this country is and what it has been through. It has not been a good run for most of the Black Africans.

One man's opinion.

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 12:14 AM