We joined Shirley and Montassir and the boys in visiting the Robben Island Museum on Monday, 20th December. Robben Island was where Nelson Mandela and many other political
prisoners were incarcerated during South Africa's apartheid years. Here is a typical view of Table Mountain from the Waterfront. :)
I was very excited about this day, not only because of the historical value of the trip, but also since it had been many years since I was last on Robben Island. I went to Robben Island with the Museum Club on overnight trips in the early 1990s - when the prison was still in operation! This is the view of Robben Island from the ferry - not much has changed in terms of the scenery.
We boarded the catamaran ferry
Krotoa (pictured here) at the Clock Tower precinct of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is located. From there we headed across Table Bay to Murray's Harbour at Robben Island.
Here we boarded a bus which then took us on a brief tour of some of the more prominent sights of Robben Island, including the limestone quarry where the prisoners worked in the bright, hot sun. We also saw the leper graveyard, the two churches, the shop and swimming pool, and the old school (closed in 2011) and the administration building. We had a break at a scenic view of Table Mountain, before heading back to the settlement from where our walking tour of the prison began.
Sparks, a former political prisoner who was imprisoned from 1983 until 1990, was our tour guide for the prison segment of the tour. It was really interesting to learn more about South Africa's apartheid era and the political prisoners who were imprisoned at this lonely place. A highlight was seeing inside Nelson Mandela's simple prison cell. The weight of history was heavy in this place.
Before too long, we were walking back down from the prison to the harbour. After a quick look inside the gift shop, we boarded
Krotoa and headed back to Cape Town. We browsed at the Victoria & Alfred Mall and the large craft market and then headed back to my parents' house for supper. It was another beautiful day in the Mother City.
The Clock Tower. It now has a playground for children at its base.
The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island.
The Cape Wheel as we head out to sea.
Medical chopper at the Waterfront.
Wonderful to see big ships again!
With Jesse in front of majestic Table Mountain!
The lighthouse at Robben Island.
At my very own harbour on Robben Island. :)
A view back towards Krotoa.
Driving under the arch at Robben Island. For many prisoners, this was their first view of incarceration.
Thabo was our tour guide on the bus portion of the trip.
The limestone quarry where the prisoners were forced to work.
Guard tower above the quarry.
Driving along the quiet, narrow island roads.
The Church of the Good Shepherd (known as the Lepers' Church).
The Anglican Church - the Robben Island Garrison Church - built in 1841.
The old school building - which closed in 2011.
The colonial administration building.
African penguin on the rocks.
At the scenic view with Table Mountain in the distance.
Sign at the entrance to the museum.
Double fences with barbed wire.
Montassir and Shirl with Eliza walk through the prison complex.
Soccer goal with Table Mountain in the distance.
Nelson Mandela's sleeping mat on display at the prison.
Candace (far left) and Eliza (in stroller), Jesse, Rhyenn, Montassir and Shirley listen to the tour guide.
Heading in to the section of the prison where Nelson Mandela was held.
Mandela's simple cell. Such a sobering moment to be there.
Walking down the passageway.
Massive prison door - operated on a track.
Prison administration building.
Guard tower at the prison.
Robben Island was heavily fortified during WWII. These bunkers and guns remain today.
WWIII underground bunker. There are passages that stretch for miles under Robben Island.
Cape fur seal back in Cape Town.
Table Bay Harbour and Waterfront view.
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