What makes robben island unique

All rights reserved. Robben Island is a short ferry ride away from the bustling coastal city of Cape Town. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.

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But will they invade your privacy? Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Robbeneiland is bekend door de gevangenschap van Nelson Mandela. Hij werd hier ruim 20 jaar lang opgesloten.

De laatste politieke gevangenen verlieten het eiland in en de gevangenis werd uiteindelijk in gesloten. Sindsdien is het een museum. Robben Island was used at various times between the 17th century and the 20th century as a prison, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups, and a military base.

Its buildings, and in particular those of the late 20th century maximum security prison for political prisoners, testify to the way in which democracy and freedom triumphed over oppression and racism. The symbolic value of Robben Island lies in its somber history, as a prison and a hospital for unfortunates who were sequestered as being socially undesirable. This came to an end in the s when the inhuman Apartheid regime was rejected by the South African people and the political prisoners who had been incarcerated on the Island received their freedom after many years.

Criterion iii : The buildings of Robben Island bear eloquent witness to its sombre history. Criterion vi : Robben Island and its prison buildings symbolize the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom and of democracy over oppression.

The remains on the island as a landscape reflect the history of the island since the 17th century and all the attributes that convey its value. Little route maintenance had been carried out since The Department of Correctional Services abandoned the island, and many structures require repair and maintenance. A variety of marine and land-based natural, and man-induced, threats also exist due to the lack of clear controls, facilities and direction. Today, Robben Island is a stark reminder of the apartheid system , and a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice.

The maximum-security prison is now a museum where daily tours are conducted by ex-political prisoners. Once on the island, visitors are only permitted to follow a tightly controlled route, and there is no freedom to move around outside of the tour.

The tour lasts approximately three and a half hours from start to finish. In many ways Robben Island was the epicentre for those rising up against apartheid, and many of those imprisoned there went on to serve important roles in democratic South Africa. As in all parts of South Africa at the time, the prison was racially segregated, and there were no white prisoners on the island. Although the island itself is without question a sombre destination, the ferry ride out there is remarkably scenic.

We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Sign Up. Travel Guides. This programme provides specially crafted adult heritage education programmes for audiences of diverse learning environments and backgrounds.

It is designed to expose adults to heritage knowledge and to assist in the national mandate of providing education and training services for ensuring life-long learning. All Rights Reserved. Birdlife on the Island The Island provides shelter and a safe haven for about species of birds including some endangered species. Natural Vegetation The flora and fauna of the Island were affected by farming practices of the past and also the introduction of extensive plantations of shrubs and exotic trees.

Geology on the Island The Island is the summit of an ancient, now submerged mountain. Oral history and sound archive These include recordings of interviews with ex-political prisoners, former exiles and political activists; Radio Freedom broadcasts; unique recordings of speeches and lectures; and historical papers archive.

Photographic archive These contain about 30 negatives, 70 prints and 4 transparencies of images that document life under, and resistance to Apartheid rule from the late s until Films and video archive These archives contain audio recordings, film and video. Artefacts, art, posters and banners The collection includes artefacts that were used as forms of political protest during the anti-apartheid struggle. RIM historical artefacts This collection includes more than 3 accessioned objects left on Robben Island by prison authorities.

School Tours School Tours programme is aimed at creating an exciting and stimulating learning experience for children and young people who visit the Robben Island Museum.

Outreach Programme In , a new stage play was introduced with more vibrant musical drama and choreography. Robben Island Independant Camps These are theme driven camps organised by national and international organisations and implemented on Robben Island.

Nation Building Youth Camps These camps, based on a culture of human rights and responsibilities, are designed to develop a sense of citizenship in young people.

Adult Groups This programme provides specially crafted adult heritage education programmes for audiences of diverse learning environments and backgrounds.