History of Robben Island
People lived on Robben Island many thousands of years ago, when the sea channel between the Island and the Cape mainland was not covered with water. Since the Dutch settled at the Cape in the mid-1600s, Robben Island has been used primarily as a prison.
Indigenous African leaders, Muslim leaders from the East Indies, Dutch and British soldiers and civilians, women, and anti-apartheid activists, including South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and the founding leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, were all imprisoned on the Island.
Robben Island has not only been used as a prison. It was a training and defence station in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for people with leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill (1846-1931). In the 1840s, Robben Island was chosen for a hospital because it was regarded as both secure (isolating dangerous cases) and healthy (providing a good environment for cure). During this time, political and common-law prisoners were still kept on the Island. As there was no cure and little effective treatment available for leprosy, mental illness and other chronic illnesses in the 1800s, Robben Island was a kind of prison for the hospital patients too.
Since 1997 it has been a museum and a heritage site. The museum is a dynamic institution, which acts as a focal point of South African heritage. It runs educational programmes for schools, youths and adults, facilitates tourism development, conducts ongoing research related to the Island and fulfils an archiving function.
The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. Ferries depart at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, weather permitting, from the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. The Robben Island Tour includes:
A return boat trip across Table Bay
A visit to the infamous Maximum Security Prison
Interaction with an ex-political prisoner
A 45-minute bus ride with a guide providing commentary
The opportunity to explore the Murray's Bay Harbour precinct attractions, such as the Muslim shrine, or kramat, and the Museum Shop.
To secure a place for yourself or your group on the ferry during the busy summer season, we recommend you book early.
Tickets are sold at R200 for adults and R100 for all children under the age of 18. The three and a half hour tour includes a return trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45 minute bus tour with a guide providing commentary.
Concession rates to schools and disadvantaged groups are also considered on application to the Education and Marketing departments respectively.
Click here to book your tickets online or contact:
Robben Island Museum
Tel +27 21 413 4220/1 (Nelson Mandela Gateway)
Email: \n infow@robben-island.org.za
Tel +27 21 409 5169 (Robben Island)
Email: \n infoi@robben-island.org.za
Advance Bookings
Tel +27 21 413 4233 / 37
Fax +27 21 418 3736
Email: \n rimbookings@robben-island.org.za
The ticket sales office is located at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Special Tours
Tel +27 21 411 1037
Email: \n specialtours@robben-island.org.za
Visit website:
www.robben-island.org.za
