What is Robben Island famous for?
What is Robben Island famous for?
Robben Island is known for being the place former South African president Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 of his 27 years, but the Island was the home of prisoners from outside South Africa, notably Namibia.
What can be found at Robben Island?
Marine and Wildlife On the Island there are about 23 species of mammals such as Bontebok, Springbok, Steenbok, Fallow Deer and Eland. Ostriches, Lizards, Geckos, Snakes and three species of Tortoises can also be found on the Island.
Can you sleep on Robben Island?
Previously no visitors have been allowed to overnight on the island. Visitors will be able to enjoy the authentic accommodation at the former governor of the island’s residence – overlooking the walkout point and the island’s famous pool area. The rooms are spacious and will be decorated with a Victorian flair.
How did Robben Island get its name?
Robben Island (Afrikaans: Robbeneiland ) is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals (robben), hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robbeneiland, which translates to Seal(s) Island.
Was Robben Island a leper colony?
The island remained a leper colony until 1931 and was then reserved for military defence with the approach of World War II. In 1959 the island became a maximum security prison mainly for black political prisoners and criminals.
Who was the first prisoner in Robben Island?
Autshumato was the first prisoner of Robben Island, and ironically the only person to ever successfully escape the maximum prison.
Who is the longest serving prisoner in Robben Island?
He served the longest sentence of any political prisoner in Robben Island prison in South Africa. Masemola was a teacher in Atteridgeville township in Pretoria in the 1950s. Together with Robert Sobukwe, Masemola co-founded PAC in 1959 in Soweto.
Can you swim from Robben Island?
Despite the relatively short distances (the main swims between Robben Island and the mainland are between 7.4km and 11km) swimming Robben Island has become a challenge even to accomplished swimmers, mostly due to the cold water temperature.
How was Robben Island discovered?
Batolomeu Dias, the Portuguese explorer, ‘discovered’ the island in 1488 when he anchored his ship in Table Bay. Before 1652, In place of dealings with the indigenous residents on the mainland, most visiting ships to Table Bay preferred to land on Robben Island to replenish their supplies of fresh water and meat.
What is Robben Island and where is it?
Robben Island is a world heritage site in South Africa and it has quite a history. It is most famously known as the place where late President Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 out of his 27-year sentence.
How many former South African presidents have been to Robben Island?
Two other former inmates of Robben Island in addition to Mandela have been elected to the presidency since the late-1990s: Kgalema Motlanthe (2008-09) and Jacob Zuma (2009-18). Robben Island is a South African National Heritage Site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why were people banished to Robben Island?
The first set of people banished to Robben Island were said to be two men who led a mutiny on the slave ship Meermin in 1766. They were refusing to be transported from their home in Madagascar to a life of slavery in the Cape Colony of South Africa.
When was Robben Island first used as a prison?
Since the end of the 17th century, Robben Island has been used for the incarceration of chiefly political prisoners. The Dutch settlers were the first to use Robben Island as a prison. Its first prisoner was probably Autshumato in the mid-17th century.
