Robben Island is the most famous for having been the isolated prison of former
South African president Nelson Mandela and many other black political dissidents.
For a whole generation of black South Africa prisoners, Robben Island was an
alternative political university and a shared experience. Today former political
prisoners act as your guides.
There are daily ferry trips to Robben Island, weather permitting, leaving
the Clock Tower precinct at the V&A Waterfront.
Allow three and a half hours for your trip, and book in advance. It will be
a moving, sombre, yet uplifting experience. Certainly, gazing across the chilly
waters of the bay, something of the despair of past inmates will enter your
consciousness, though the final, lasting impression is likely to be one of
the triumphs of the human spirit.
The Island is a World Heritage Site and home to African penguins and a rioch
variety of marine bird life, some species of which are only found here and
on one other site on the African coast. Robben Island also offers limited accommodation
and conference facilities: tel.021-419-1300 or fax 021-419-1057 for details.
