Robben Island, a small landmass just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, has become synonymous with the struggle against apartheid and the 18-year imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. While many know it as the place where Mandela was confined, there are numerous lesser-known aspects of this infamous prison that reveal a deeper, more complex story of resistance, education, and human resilience.
The Island Before Mandela
Before becoming a symbol of apartheid oppression, Robben Island served multiple purposes throughout its history:
- A leper colony in the late 19th century
- A mental institution during the early 20th century
- A military base during World War II
- A maximum security prison from 1961 to 1996
The island’s isolation made it an ideal location for the apartheid government to house political prisoners, effectively cutting them off from the mainland and public view.
Daily Life in the Prison
The conditions at Robben Island were deliberately harsh, designed to break the spirit of political prisoners:
- Racial segregation existed even within the prison, with Black prisoners receiving worse food, clothing, and accommodations than their colored or Indian counterparts
- Prisoners were forced to perform hard labor in the limestone quarry, causing permanent damage to Mandela’s eyes from the glare
- Cells measured just 8 feet by 7 feet, with only a straw mat for sleeping
- Correspondence and visits were severely restricted and censored
The Secret University
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Robben Island was how prisoners transformed it into what they called “University of Robben Island.” Despite the harsh conditions:
- Political prisoners organized clandestine classes where they taught each other everything from literacy to law and political theory
- Knowledge was shared through tiny handwritten notes that were hidden from guards
- The limestone quarry became a discussion forum where leaders like Mandela could debate with younger activists
- Several prisoners completed correspondence degrees during their incarceration
This transformation of a place of punishment into a center of learning and political development demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of these freedom fighters.
Lesser-Known Inmates
While Mandela is the most famous prisoner, many other significant anti-apartheid figures were also incarcerated on Robben Island:
- Walter Sisulu, a mentor to Mandela and key ANC strategist
- Ahmed Kathrada, who spent 26 years in prison and became one of Mandela’s closest confidants
- Robert Sobukwe, leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, who was kept in solitary confinement in a separate section dubbed “Sobukwe’s house”
- Mac Maharaj, who smuggled out Mandela’s autobiography manuscript
The Hidden Communication Networks
Despite intense surveillance, prisoners developed sophisticated methods to communicate:
- Using toilet paper for secret messages passed between cells
- Creating coded language systems that guards couldn’t decipher
- Hiding notes in food containers or under loose bricks
- Using the prison newsletter, which was initially approved by authorities, to convey subtle political messages
The Guards’ Perspective
Interestingly, some prison guards developed complex relationships with inmates:
- Several guards secretly smuggled newspapers to prisoners
- Some became sympathetic to the cause after prolonged interactions with political prisoners
- A few guards later testified about prison conditions during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Warder James Gregory, who guarded Mandela for many years, later published a controversial memoir about their relationship, though some of his claims have been disputed by former prisoners.
Post-Release Impact
The legacy of Robben Island extends far beyond Mandela’s imprisonment:
- The prison was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999
- Many former prisoners returned as tour guides, offering firsthand accounts of their experiences
- The Robben Island Museum now serves as a powerful reminder of South Africa’s journey to democracy
- Former prisoners have credited their time on the island as formative in developing the leadership skills that would later help them govern South Africa
Conclusion
Robben Island represents a paradox in South African history—a place of immense suffering that simultaneously nurtured the leadership that would eventually dismantle apartheid. The secret networks, educational systems, and human connections forged in this harsh environment speak to the indomitable nature of the human spirit. As Mandela himself said, “The cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself.” In the confined spaces of Robben Island, the foundations for a new South Africa were laid, brick by brick, by men who refused to let their imprisonment define their destiny.