Robben Island was dubbed as such by Portuguese settlers because of the island's abundance of "rob," which means seals in Dutch. It is an island approximately 12 kilometers off Cape Town and is best known for its most famous prisoner Nelson Mandela. It is now one of UNESCO's world heritage sites; thanks to its rich history of human strength and freedom from tyranny.
Times of the Apartheid
This era reasonably put Robben Island on the map both politically and socially. During the Apartheid time—between the mid 1940s and early 1990s—the population of South Africa was separated between races, social status, and political status. And Robben Island became the icon that it is today because of the latter.
It was a place of incarceration for political prisoners as well. When a person, a group, or even a family was considered to be a political threat, they would be sent to Robben Island to be exiled and, more often than not, be forced to do hard labor.
Moturu Kramat
The Moturu Kramat is popular with Robben Island's Muslim visitors. It is a sacred place for Muslims because of one man: Sayed Adurohman Moturu, the prince of Madura who was also one of Cape Town's first "imans". Sayed Adurohman Moturu was exiled here during the 1740s and eventually died here during the mid 1950s.
More about the Island
For a small island, there are so many things to see in Robben Island that is wrapped up in history. During World War II, it was used as a defense station, and even today some of the canons and heavy artilleries still stand. There is also the Church of the Good Shepherd, which was built by and for lepers on the island.
Another one of Robben Island's attractions is its lighthouse. It sits on the island's highest point and was built in 1863. Today, however, gone are its bonfire days of glory. The lighthouse now uses electricity to fulfill its primary function.
What's surprising though is that during the 1890s there were about a thousand settlers on the island and a school was built for the children on the island. Even today the school still stands and operates with 4 teachers taking in children between 6 to 11 years old for primary schooling.
A Beacon of Hope
What makes Robben Island so celebrated is not mainly because of its geography and wildlife but because it is a genuine symbol of man's power over oppression and will to be emancipated from, well, what else but "mental slavery." It is also a symbol of Africa as a whole suffering and its triumph to overcome that suffering.
A trip to Robben Island will take about 3 to 4 hours including the 30-minute ferry boat ride to the island itself. Accommodations aren't available in the island, but there are however numerous Cape Town hotels to choose from.
Planning and booking your Robben Island escapade in advance is always the best way to go. Together with proper Cape Town accommodation, your Robben Island experience will surely be an unforgettable one.
Times of the Apartheid
This era reasonably put Robben Island on the map both politically and socially. During the Apartheid time—between the mid 1940s and early 1990s—the population of South Africa was separated between races, social status, and political status. And Robben Island became the icon that it is today because of the latter.
It was a place of incarceration for political prisoners as well. When a person, a group, or even a family was considered to be a political threat, they would be sent to Robben Island to be exiled and, more often than not, be forced to do hard labor.
Moturu Kramat
The Moturu Kramat is popular with Robben Island's Muslim visitors. It is a sacred place for Muslims because of one man: Sayed Adurohman Moturu, the prince of Madura who was also one of Cape Town's first "imans". Sayed Adurohman Moturu was exiled here during the 1740s and eventually died here during the mid 1950s.
More about the Island
For a small island, there are so many things to see in Robben Island that is wrapped up in history. During World War II, it was used as a defense station, and even today some of the canons and heavy artilleries still stand. There is also the Church of the Good Shepherd, which was built by and for lepers on the island.
Another one of Robben Island's attractions is its lighthouse. It sits on the island's highest point and was built in 1863. Today, however, gone are its bonfire days of glory. The lighthouse now uses electricity to fulfill its primary function.
What's surprising though is that during the 1890s there were about a thousand settlers on the island and a school was built for the children on the island. Even today the school still stands and operates with 4 teachers taking in children between 6 to 11 years old for primary schooling.
A Beacon of Hope
What makes Robben Island so celebrated is not mainly because of its geography and wildlife but because it is a genuine symbol of man's power over oppression and will to be emancipated from, well, what else but "mental slavery." It is also a symbol of Africa as a whole suffering and its triumph to overcome that suffering.
A trip to Robben Island will take about 3 to 4 hours including the 30-minute ferry boat ride to the island itself. Accommodations aren't available in the island, but there are however numerous Cape Town hotels to choose from.
Planning and booking your Robben Island escapade in advance is always the best way to go. Together with proper Cape Town accommodation, your Robben Island experience will surely be an unforgettable one.