| Although there is much to see and do in South Africa, | | | | remains in place today as a living museum and a |
| there is surely very little doubt with regard to the most | | | | monument to those who were imprisoned there, most |
| immediately recognisable place name. For what it | | | | specifically the legendary prisoner 46664 (this was |
| represents, the seemingly unprepossessing Robben | | | | Mandela's prison registry number). Tourists who have |
| Island is a centre of fascination for tourists on holidays | | | | visited the former prison commonly state that the |
| to South Africa. It was here, after all, that Nelson | | | | experience is somewhat haunting, but deeply moving |
| Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he | | | | and one that they are sincerely glad to have |
| spent in jail (from 1963 to 1981 - although he was | | | | undertaken. As with so many tourist attractions, |
| eventually released from Victor Verster Prison in | | | | Robben Island is significant because of its history, but |
| Paarl) and it was also here that many of the other | | | | unlike many of those attractions, the history is very |
| leading members of the anti-apartheid movement | | | | recent indeed, and many of its participants are still alive. |
| were imprisoned, including current president Jacob | | | | If your South Africa holiday takes you anywhere near |
| Zuma, and the father of previous incumbent Thabo | | | | Cape Town, Robben Island stands with Table |
| Mbeki. | | | | Mountain as one of the locations you really must visit. |
| Although the prison has now closed and Robben Island | | | | The past, the present and the future of South Africa |
| is a largely symbolic piece of land, it is an island with | | | | owe so much to the people who passed through the |
| some quirks which may fascinate present-day visitors. | | | | prison while it was open, and its continuing presence |
| For instance, an estimated quarter of a million rabbits | | | | reminds South Africans of all races and all ages of the |
| have made it their home. Additionally, it is home to the | | | | strife that assailed the country so recently that - while |
| only lighthouse in South Africa to use a flashing light. | | | | undeniably historic - the memories are still very clear. |
| The light on Robben Island lighthouse can be seen for | | | | While one could fill many books with argument and |
| 24 nautical miles. This is necessary because | | | | counter-argument about the direction which the |
| throughout history the island has been a constant thorn | | | | present-day South Africa will take in the future, this |
| in the side of sailors who are unfortunate enough to | | | | very present history is something that cannot be |
| venture into its environs without knowing what they | | | | ignored. |
| are doing. The island's name comes from the Dutch | | | | For many, the wounds left open by the apartheid era |
| for "Seal Island". | | | | began to heal when President Nelson Mandela |
| It would, however, be somewhat blind to ignore the | | | | presented the white Boer Francois Pienaar with the |
| major reason why people on holidays to South Africa | | | | World Cup Trophy in 1995 - and it is hoped that |
| visit Robben Island. The prison itself is closed - at least | | | | another World Cup will again unite South Africans. |
| for the purposes for which it was opened initially. It | | | | |