Robben Island

View of Cape Town from Robben Island

Leper cemetery and church

The quarry where political prisoners performed hard labor.

The entry point for political prisoners.

N. Mandela's cell for 18 years

Masemola served 26 years at Robben Island

Our tour guide and 6 year prisoner of Robben Island

Robben Island is located 4 miles off the coast of Cape Town. The island is about two miles long and just over one mile wide. Ideally situated to isolate, it has a long history of being a destination for exiles. Originally used as a prison by the early Dutch settlements, it was later used as a leper colony and finally a prison for political prisoners during the years of apartheid, including Nelson Mandela. Today it is a monument to the triumph of freedom and is now a historical place open to the public. Our tour was conducted by a former political prisoner who not only showed us the prison facilities, but also shared his personal experiences as being a prisoner, including the tour of Block F, where he and 62 other prisoners were held. As we traveled back to the mainland by ferry, we talked about how grateful we are from a country with a government of the people, for the people.