All Aboard to Robben Island

We boarded a ferry called the Sea Princess out of the Cape Town Waterfront at 9:00 a.m. this morning bound for Robben Island. For those of you who do not know, Robben Island is an island located 8 miles off the coast of Cape Town. On the island was a prison that served as confinement for convicts and political activists whom were kept in maximum security. One of the most important and world-renowned political activists that was kept there was the late South African President Nelson Mandela. Mandela, a human rights activist and politician, was sentenced there nearly 22 years for political actions he took against the apartheid of South Africa.

As we ventured out into the open ocean, the scenery that was left behind was absolutely phenomenal. With Table Mountain on the horizon and the city of Cape Town lying right beneath it, the view just couldn’t be put into words. So here’s a picture…

We arrived onto the island accompanied by a few sea lions that were perking their heads above the cool, ocean water. My twelve other companions and I then boarded the touring bus that would take us around the island and drop us off at our final destination, the Robben Island Prison. As we went through the island, it was interesting to hear about each building and why it served as a vital part of the prison. We were then dropped off for a quick 15 minute break. THE MOST WONDERFUL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY THUS FAR!

The tour guide called us to the bus once again and we were bound for our final destination. As our group departed the bus, another tour guide, who was once a prisoner at Robben Island, greeted us with a comedic welcome ready to take us through our prison tour. It was interesting to hear his story and how the prison functioned. He explained that the prison was divided into different sections: A, B, C, and D with A section being the best and D section being the worst. Prisoners in A section were allowed to send 3 letters home and have 3 visitors per month. Section D prisoners could only write 1 letter and have 1 visitor per month. It was so interesting to hear but his final statement in the first part of the tour really struck me the most. He stated, “The prison closed in 1991 but was reopened in 1997 to the public. The prison does not serve as a reminder of the oppression that occurred here but it serves as a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit.” I was completely blown away. We then continued our tour with our final stop being the cell block that Nelson Mandela was kept in. As the tour guide prepared to send us on “the walk to freedom,” or the exit of the prison, he encouraged us to spread the word to our family and friends to “keep peace among each other, to explain the importance of the prison, and to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.” Hearing the life of Nelson Mandela touched my heart and soul. He proudly stood for what he believed in the most. As one man, he peacefully changed the world leaving behind his wisdom and inspirational legacy.

As the tour concluded, we boarded the next ferry bound for Cape Town. As we returned to the Cape Town Waterfront, we were able to do some shopping at local vendors and a food market. We then met for dinner at Karibu (meaning “Welcome” in the Swahili language), a traditional South African dining experience. I ordered the Roasted Duck which I have to admit was very appetizing!

I was so honored to be immersed into the culture and history of South Africa today. 

“No one is born hating another person because the color of his skin, his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

This post is dedicated to Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)