The island is a place of detention of a South African fighter against the Apartheid regime. Former President Nelson Mandela had languished there from 1964 to 1974. Since the 1660s the Netherlands has used Robben Island to hold political fighters who came from Asia, especially Indonesia. Cayen people of Sumatra, was the first Asia being held there in 1667.
Cakradiningrat IV Prince of Madura was also detained on this island for 12 years until his death. The first inhabitants of South Africa is Autshumato (Harry) head of the Khoikhoi tribe who was detained by Jan Van Riebeeck in 1658, but a year later with his friends managed to escape and get away from the island. Robben Island attracted many foreign and local tourists because of its historic value is quite high.
Robben Island is only accessible by boat or ferry either other small vessels. Travel by boat to Robben Island takes approximately a 30 minutes
.Robben Island is known worldwide as a place of exile exile, isolation and imprisonment. For nearly 400 years of colonial and apartheid rulers that they considered to be discarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of this 575-acre rocky outcrop in Table Bay.
Island residents are not included; slaves; political and religious leaders who opposed Dutch colonialism in East Asia; troublesome local Khoikhoi and African leaders who reject the expansion of England in South Africa; leprosy patients and other sick and mentally disturbed; French Vichy prisoners of war, and most recently, political opponents of the apartheid regime in South Africa and Namibia.
Robben Island's Most Famous Prisoner:
During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter century in prison for their beliefs. But the likes of Nelson Mandela emerged to lead South Africa to democracy, with a message of tolerance, reconciliation and hope.
They were imprisoned on the island managed to turn a prison 'hell-hole "became a symbol of freedom and personal independence.
The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island:
The Robben Island visitor experience begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, Clock Tower Precinct at the Cape Town V & A Waterfront.
Gateway is the "land front door" to Robben Island, symbolizes the importance of islands in the young democracy of South Africa. Gateway houses a 150-seater auditorium, meeting rooms and the Robben Island Museum shop, among other facilities. Digital, interactive exhibition space on all three floors of the building Gateway provides visitors with the historical context of the Maximum Security Prison on Robben Island, and reflects a wider range of the history of this island.
Robben Island received over three hundred thousand visitors each year, with the highest percentage of South Africa. More than 95% of visitors described their visit to Robben Island as a positive experience of the spirit, open your eyes.
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