South Africa and Lesotho Day 12: Robben Island

There is no easy way to talk about today. I received some difficult news about a close family member late yesterday. I had already booked a trip to Robben Island for today, which seems an appropriately somber way to reflect on challenges both personal and global.

Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

I give South Africa credit: It does not shy away from this difficult chapter in its history. This is the prison where the apartheid government held many of its political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela who would later lead the country through its transition to a representative democracy.

Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robert Sobukwe House, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

In this lime quarry, Mandela and other “special” political prisoners were forced to break rocks – segregated even from other prisoners on the island.

Lime Quarry, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

I could not agree more!

Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

The man who led us through Block D had himself been held as a prisoner for several years – in this very cell block – for his role in protesting the apartheid government.

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Even in this cleaned up and sanitized state, this facility is grim. I can’t even begin to imagine how it must have looked when it was in active use.

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

These meager mats were what “sufficed” for a bed for many of those held in this block.

Robben Island Prison Facility, Block D, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Nelson Mandela’s Cell, Block B, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island Prison Facility, Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

And now for something lighter … here is Table Mountain as seen from the ferry returning from Robben Island. Looks like we lucked out with the weather yesterday – having clear skies and sunny weather was amazing.

Ferry from Robben Island to Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

One last photo for today: Back in Cape Town, I loved this steampunk giraffe sculpture with a crow on its nose.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

After today’s adventure, we drove back to the airport. We are staying in an airport hotel tonight and will begin our journey home early tomorrow morning.

We are thankful for this introduction to South Africa and sad that we have to leave tomorrow.

We will be back.