Robben Island is a World Heritage Site. The South African first black President Nelson Mandella was imprisoned on Robben Island for 22 years of his 27 years in prison. His famous book “Long Walk To Freedom” Kb has read it, and I have gotten 3 chapters in. The book tells of his life in jail. The time line of Robben Island is below:
“485 BCE – When the Phoenicians arrived
First documented arrival of visitors to the Cape, is recorded on a rock painting witch depicts a Phoenician merchant ship.
1421 – The Chinese arrivalD In 1421, the Chinese Emperor Zhu Di dispatched an armada of ships to sail around he world under the command of Admiral Zheng.
In August of 1421, the fleet rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
1488 – Then the Portuguese
The Portuguese landed on Robben Island and set up a base. They sought shelter there in a cave that they called Portugal Cave, next to where Murray’s Harbor is today. The cave no longer exists.
1501-Antonio de Saldanha hides on Robben Island
Antonio de Saldana retreated to Robben Island, after a skirmish with the Khoisan on the mainland, in which he was wounded. On Robben Island, de Saldanha and his men set about killing as many penguins, seals, and tortoises as they could.
1510 – The Battle of Salt River
A Portuguese ship, carrying Fancesco D’Almeida, the Portuguese Viceroy to India, docked at the Cape. When the Portuguese tried to steal livestock and kidnap women and children, a war broke out. D’Almeida and 50 (fifty) of his men were killed on the beaches of Salt River. From that point onwards, the Portuguese stopped trying to colonize the Cape.
1613 – Chief Xhore
Chief Xhore and companion are lured by Sir Thomas Smythe, of the British East India Company. Chief Xhore was the first Black South African to travel to Europe. Smythe, wanted to create a convict colony at the Cape by sending 100 convicts a year.
Xhore was to be trained as an interpreter and company manager to facilitate the business of the British East India Company.
1614 – Chief Xhore returns to resist British Occupation
Chief Xhore, knowing about the plans of the English to settle the Cape with convicts, revolts and demands to be taken back. He was returned home in 1614.
1615 – The English – the first prisoners
Criminal prisoners to be sent to the Island in 1615 where 10(ten) English convicts. A convicted highwayman by of Crosse, was left behind as leader of the convicts, set ashore with guns, ammunition and supplies. They were by Chief Xhore and the Khoikhoi, they ran away and sought refuge on Robben Island.
1616- 3 prisoners rescued from Robben Island
Nine months after being left at the Cape, 3 survivors were collected from Robben Island by the British shore “New Years Gift”. Ironically it was Chief Shore, who told the British visitors about the men stranded on Robben Island.
1617 – 3 more prisoners brought to Robben Island
English Captain Benjamin Joseph, on eve more deposited 3 convicts on Robben Island in 1617, but a few days later, a fish shop in the fleet picked them up again for unknown reasons.
1620- The British Claim Table Bay and Robben Island
Table Bay and Robben Island were formally claimed by the British as crown possessions of King James I of England. The cape became increasingly important in international trade.
1625 – Chief Shore is killed by the Dutch
1632 – Chief Aushumato relocates to Robben Island
After having been trained in lava in 1631, Chief Aushumato is taken to Robben Island with 20 other Khoisan people to act as company intermediaries (maritime monitoring) for the VOC (Dutch East Indian Company). Aushumato was able to communicate in English, Dutch, French, and Portuguese. Aushumato is also recorded to have said to a visiting French shop in 1632 that he was “Ay service de messejieurs Hollandaise et de messieurs les Anglois.” [In the service of the Dutch and English men.].”
Some facts that really got me thinkings were:
- The dog kennels were more prominent than the human sells. I was very appalled to learn this. (Yes, there were dogs. And the Wardens (the men who were the jail guards) would train the dogs to attack whoever they told them to! It was very sad.
- To hide documents so the Wardens wouldn’t find them, the inmates would hide the documents in a tennis ball, then hit it back and forth three times, then “accidentally” hit the ball over the fence to another section. The other section would take the documents out and throw the ball back over. Long Walk to Freedom was also hidden in the courtyard when the Wardens inspected the sells.
- The first prisoners who were brought to Robben Island were forced to build the prison that they would be kept in once it was finished. It was a type of torture, some inmates said.
- The lime quarry that Nelson Mandela worked at was basically useless. The only reason that it was used was for manual labor and toucher. Thirty-five men died working at the quarry.
Our tour guide was very kind. We all got ball caps and water bottles with the Robben Island logo! There were two other people on the tour with us, a husband and wife, I think. We walked around the island for about 4 hours, and walked a total of 6 miles.
The Rest Of the Day
After our trip to Robben Island, we had a fun afternoon out to lunch, and me and Kb went shopping! The littles (Kb and Bardez (B)) went to a Snake house or something. They got to take many incredible photos of deadly snakes! Yaaaaay… I’m not a snake kind of girl, so I didn’t go with them.
We had a nice kids night, and mom and dad went out to dinner.
A letter 
These representatives are the prisoners 
Nelson Mandela‘s number 
The Courtyard where they would play tennis 
This is what black man got for bedding 
Nelson Mandela’s cell 
Me and B eating lunch 
Seals just lounging!