ROBBEN ISLAND
Robben Island, situated in Table Bay, is about 11 km off the main land from Cape Town and 7 km from the
Bloubergstrand side. It is an oval piece of land measuring 5.4 km˛, it is very flat and only a few meters above
sea level. The island is arid, with low scrubby vegetation and has no water courses, in fact a pipeline
was laid from Cape Town to the island, on the bottom of the ocean to supply the couple of hundred people
that still reside on the island.
Khoi Khoi people lived on Robben Island many thousands of years ago, when the sea channel between the Island and
the Cape mainland was not covered with water. However, Robben Island has been used primarily as a prison since
the Dutch settled at the Cape in 1652, the Dutch also gave the island its name Robben, which means "seals", after
the large colony of Cape Fur seals that lived on the Island. Today springbok, blesbok, ostrich, rabbits, dassies,
African penguins and the Cape Fur seals can be found on the island.
The island was a training and defence station in World War II, a hospital for leprosy patients, and mentally
and chronically ill patients from 1846-1931. It was chosen for a hospital because it was both secure enabling
isolation of dangerous diseases and healthy, as it provided a good environment. During this time, political
and common-law prisoners were also kept on the island.
Over the years African leaders, Muslim leaders from the East Indies, Dutch and British settler soldiers and civilians,
anti-apartheid activists, including most of the top ANC leadership of the 1960's, Robert Sobukwe, the founding
leader of the Pan African Congress and South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Rohihlahla Mandela
were all imprisoned on the Island.
This World Heritage site and museum has been acting as a focal point of South African heritage and has become
a pivotal beacon in displaying the history of South Africa since it opened on 1 January 1997. It tells us
about the victory over Apartheid and other human rights abuses: 'the indestructibility of the spirit of resistance
against colonialism, injustice and oppression'. The image we have of the island today is as a place of oppression,
as well as a place of triumph.
Safaris to South Africa are never complete without a visit to the Mother City of Cape Town and a tour of Cape Town
is never complete without a visit to the world renowned Robben Island. The tours depart daily from the V & A Waterfront
at 9am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 2 pm and 3pm, weather permitting. These tours to Robben Island are 3.5 hours long, including
the two half-hour ferry rides to and from the island and tours include:
