Journey to the Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island
It’s a wonderful time to have a trip to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island. We are all curious about historical events. If that information is available at hand then we have many more benefits. Today we will go directly to the real place of historical events and learn more details. This journey will be special for all of us. Come on, let’s all go straight to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island.
When was Robben Island built? | How big is Robben Island?
Robben Island is an oval-shaped island measuring 3.3 kilometres north-south and 1.9 kilometres broad, with a total area of 5.08 square kilometres discovered by a Portuguese mariner and explorer named Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. This island’s shore was once populated with a large number of seals. ‘Robben‘ name came from the Dutch word ‘seals’. It is located at the entrance of Table Bay which is 6.9 Kilometers from the west of the coast of Bloubergstrand and 11 Kilometers from Cape Town.
It was the year 1652 when the Dutch arrived at the Cape and began to use this Robben Island for the purpose of a port. This was also been used as a grazing station for cattle and sheep. This island is visible from the mainland Cape Town, also known as a leper colony and whaling station but this was more popular for political prisoners. Before the year 1652, many visiting ships to Table Bay chose to land on Robben Island to restock their supplies of fresh water and meat, rather than interacting with the indigenous population on the mainland. As a result, it became a key location for mail exchange, with letters from departing ships being laid beneath an engraved stone for pick up and drop by a returning ship. This kept going after Jan Van Riebeeck arrived at Cape in 1652. He didn’t want to halt on the mainland (Cape Town) because he needed to establish a station where ships sailing from Europe to the East Indies could acquire fresh food and water. For hunting, there were lots of penguins, tortoises, and seals. The island’s potential for imprisonment did not go unnoticed, and the Dutch began to send their condemned convicts there in approximately 1671. It was only a matter of time until political prisoners and other “miscreants” sent to the Cape from other Dutch possessions received the same treatment. In reality, because they did not agree with Dutch control of their nation, the Dutch authorities deported monarchs, princes, and religious leaders from the East Indies to Robben Island as captives.
How long does it take to go to Robben Island from Cape Town? | How much is the ticket to Robben Island? | What is the best time of year to visit Robben Island?
It takes approximately 30 minutes – 40 minutes to reach Robben Island from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront (Victoria & Alfred Waterfront), Cape Town. Along with the other private ferries, Robben Island Museum has its own two ferries – Susan Kruger and The Dias. Susan Kruger ferry was named after the wife of Jimmy Kruger, a former Minister of Justice who worked in the National Party Government under apartheid. Between the mainland and Robben Island, these ferries were used to carry employees and political detainees. Robben Island Museum runs its general tours 4 times a day a week i.e 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM. Ticket price varies for South African and Non-South African residents. Currently, ticket prices are – R400 (i.e 1996.40 INR) per South African adult, R210 (i.e 1048.11 INR) per South African child under 18, R600 (i.e 2994.60 INR) per Non-South African adult, and R310 (i.e 1547.21 INR) per Non-South African child under 18. The 9AM trip is the best time to visit to avoid the huge crowds and hot temperatures.
Important interesting facts about Robben Island | Why is Robben Island famous? | Why is Robben Island a tourist attraction?
(1) Former Robben Island jail inmates have become presidents of South Africa.
Some of the inmates who spent time behind the bars on the island have returned to lead the country as presidents. Apart from former President Nelson Mandela who stayed there for eighteen years, former Presidents Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe were also detainees who lived there as well.
(2) Robben Island is home to a wide range of bird species.
While visiting the area, you can spot Southern Right Whales, black-crowned night herons, Crowned Cormorants, Cape Fur Seals, a variety of bucks including Eland and Springbok as well as tortoises of various sorts, and a variety of other animals.132 species of birds have been recognized as using the area as their home, which is one of the unique features of the locality.
(3) In the past, mentally ill persons and lepers were also housed there.
Although many people think of Robben as a location where those who have been charged with crimes are imprisoned, there have been other persons also who have been sent there without having committed a crime. People with leprosy and mental disease were also secluded on Robben Island in the nineteenth century. The rationale behind this is that, in addition to being isolated from civilization, the climate was also thought to be healthy for them.
(4) A football league for island inmates used to exist.
Even though people were exiled to the island, it was not all doom and gloom. The reason for this is that the inmates devised a way to keep themselves engaged with an activity. They organized a football league called “Makana Football Association” amongst themselves that exactly followed FIFA’s rules. The “Makana” name was inspired by a Xhosa prophet who was imprisoned on the island in the 19th century.
(5) The name of the site of exile comes from the seals of Robben Island.
As previously stated, the Dutch used the Cape as a port as well as a grazing area for their cattle when they arrived. Then, because of the large number of seals that had previously occupied the coasts, the name “Robben” was given. Robben is a Dutch word that means “seal”.
(6) On Robben Island, Nelson Mandela planted vegetables.
Nelson Mandela had a garden on the island that he was quite proud of, according to jail guard Christo Brand. Christo claims that “He planted brinjals, tomatoes, onions, and spinach, which the wardens combined with meat for a stew every Friday. Mandela shared his stew with the wardens on a regular basis.”
(7) Today, some of the island’s inmates work as tour guides.
While the era of incarceration is passed, it’s fascinating to note that some of the former inmates now work as tour guides. However, it’s important to note that some of these folks are only doing so due to financial difficulties.
When was Robben Island declared a heritage site?
In 1999, Robben Island was designated as a World Heritage Site (WHS) under the ‘World Heritage Convention’s Operational Guidelines’ criterion (iii) and (vi).
Criterion (iii) demands that a place offers distinct or at least outstanding testament to a live or extinct cultural heritage or civilization.
According to criterion (vi), sites must be directly or visibly related to historical or living traditions, concepts, or beliefs, and creative and literary works of great worldwide value.
How were prisoners treated on Robben Island?
Prisoners were subjected to brutal beatings and torture on a regular basis by cruel guards whose actions were mostly unchallenged. According to former detainee Sipho Msomi, black inmates received the harshest punishment in what has been dubbed “South Africa’s Alcatraz”.
Can you see Robben Island from Bloubergstrand?
Bloubergstrand is a delightful oceanfront neighborhood with breathtaking views of Robben Island and Table Mountain over the Atlantic Ocean, as well as a variety of charming restaurants and activities.
What is unique about Robben Island?
Robben Island was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because the island’s structures serve as a reminder of the island’s tragic history while also demonstrating the power of the nature of humanity, freedom, and democracy’s triumph over oppression.
Can you sleep on Robben Island? | Can you stay on Robben Island?
Previously, no overnight guests are permitted on the island. Guests will be able to stay at the old governor of the island’s mansion, which features traditional accommodations with views of the walkout site and the island’s famed pool area. The rooms will be large and designed in a Victorian style. The island has not yet revealed a price range for overnight stays. The overnight stay is part of a drive to improve the famed South African historic site’s ailing tourist experience.
How far is swimming to Robben Island? | Who swam from Robben Island?
Swimming on Robben Island has become a challenge even for experienced swimmers, owing to the chilly water temperature. The biggest swims between Robben Island and the mainland are between 7km and 11km.
When Henry Charteris Hooper swam from Robben Island to the old Cape Town harbor in 1909, it was the first known Robben Island swim. Hooper completed the approximately 11-kilometer swim in slightly under 7 hours. Peggy Duncan, a 15-year-old girl, was the first woman to swim from Robben Island to Cape Town in 1926.
Hundreds of people have made the voyage from various spots around the Cape Town coast to Robben Island since then. Swimmers can start at Blouberg Beach or Three Anchor Bay, swim around the island, or any combination of the three.
Tyrone Venter recently made history by being the first incredible long-distance swimmer to swim from Robben Island to Big Bay three times. In October 2012, he completed a six-hour swim spanning 25 kilometres, as well as a 2 hour and 37 minutes lap around the island, till now which was the fastest according to the date.
Do people live on Robben Island? | Are there any residents at Robben Island? | What is Robben Island today?
The island’s population is presently around 150 permanent inhabitants, who create a dynamic and well-functioning community. They include museum employees, prison guides, National Ports Authority employees, lighthouse keepers, Works Department employees, and a few old-timers. It’s a little remote village, yet it’s magical. The youngsters are free to stroll to each other’s residences and doors are left open. There are roughly 100 dwellings in the settlement, which are placed in broad strands on either side of the main roadway. Every house has dusty lawns and a rain barrel to collect rainwater. There is a local organization, RIVA (Robben Island Village Association) that represents the people, as well as a bi-monthly island magazine called “The Lighthouse”.
Can you visit Robben Island on your own? | Can you drive to Robben Island? | Can you walk around Robben Island?
You won’t be able to go by yourself. The Robben Island Museum ticket must be purchased online. Along with the other private ferries, Robben Island Museum has its own two ferries – Susan Kruger and The Dias.
You can’t wander around the island on your own. There is a tour bus available. Each bus has a tourist guide who will tell you about the many locations on Robben Island as you go around.
What is Robben island used for now?
Robben Island serves as a vivid reminder of the apartheid regime as well as a symbol of the victory of the human spirit over hardship, pain, and injustice today. The maximum-security jail has been converted into a museum, with daily tours led by ex-political detainees. Thousands of tourists visit the island each year to learn about South Africa’s history and to see Nelson Mandela’s small cell.
Where does Robben Island get electricity?
The Robben Island microgrid collects solar energy from a football-field-sized array of photovoltaic systems on the island’s southeast side, which has the highest maximum capacity of 667 kilowatts. The fluctuating direct current (DC) output from the solar cells is converted into the alternating current (AC) needed to power the island by 12 solar inverters. The microgrid can function entirely on solar power during the day, with a battery bank providing electricity for around seven hours when the sunsets. This island’s energy consumption profile includes residential requirements, desalination, the harbor, and workplaces; in all, the island consumes over 2 million kWh of power per year. The solar PV project, which was commissioned by the Department of Tourism (DoT), will generate about 1 million kWh of power each year, greatly lowering the cost of purchasing and shipping diesel to the island. The island is likewise on a mission to cut down on its own electricity use.
