Today, we took a ferry to Robben Island, a place deeply tied to South Africa’s history and struggle for freedom. Our visit began with a bus tour of the island, including the building where Robert Sobukwe was imprisoned for six years following the passage of the “Sobukwe Clause.” We also visited the limestone quarry where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners endured grueling labor.
In the quarry, our guide pointed out a small cave that carried extraordinary historical significance. Often referred to as the “first democratic parliament,” this cave served as a rare refuge where prisoners could speak freely. This is because the cave was used as a restroom and therefore the smell kept the guards away. We learned today that some of the ideas exchanged in that cave influenced the creation of South Africa’s Constitution, adopted in 1996.
We then toured the main prison where political prisoners who opposed the apartheid regime were held. This part of the visit was particularly moving because our guide, Derick Basson, shared his personal story as a former political prisoner on Robben Island. Derick was only 18 when he was brought to Robben Island. He recounted the harsh realities of prison life. His stories left us devastated as well as inspired. He plans to write a book about his experiences, so be on the lookout for future author Derick Basson.
Derick led us through the prison yard where Mandela secretly hid parts of his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom. He showed us Mandela’s cell in Building B. At the end of the tour, we walked the same path that prisoners took when they were finally freed. This pathway holds profound symbolic significance as it’s the same road Nelson Mandela walked on February 11, 1990, when he gained his freedom—a moment that shaped history. Walking that path today, 35 years later, was deeply humbling.
It’s impossible to capture the full range of emotions and reflections that a visit to Robben Island evokes. Each person’s experience is uniquely shaped by their own story and perspective. Rather than asking our students to respond in a specific way, we created space for them to share their feelings openly. At the end of the day, they each offered a single word that encapsulated their emotions, which we captured in a word cloud in the image below. The picture in the image was taken as we looked back at the prison from the walkway exit.
This evening, we gathered for a workshop-style meeting to finalize plans for tomorrow’s service-learning day at Athlone. We’re looking forward to sharing more about that experience in tomorrow’s post.
