Robben Island - or Seal Island translated- was an amazing experience for the group. When we got to the Island, which has has a very dynamic history and which has now been converted into a museum, a huge sign greeted us; "Robben Eiland: We are proud to serve". A timely reminder of the past and the change that has occurred in this country over the past 50 years.
Our guide met us at the entrance to the cell block. While I've forgotten his name, I won't forget him in a hurry. He revealed that he was was an ex political prisoner for close to 10 years. He was arrested without charge, tortured, interrogated and kept in a cell block with 50 other men. As we entered, our guide showed us the reception hall, which doubled as a court room for the people who had just arrived in the Island. Then we moved into the courtyard of A Block. It was extremely hot standing there, with only a bit of shade around the edges (and we were only there for 20 minutes, not 20 years). Nelson Mandela and other countless political prisoners worked, exercised and congregated there day after day and year after year - it was just mind-blowing. From the courtyard we were shown Madiba's window to his cell (4 from the entry point on the right).
As we progressed in, you could feel the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, heading closer to Mandela's cell - his place of solitude and capture for just shy of 18 years. His cell (as they all were) was tiny. A boring white and greyish blue in colour. It had been preserved with a bedside table, cups and bed - which would not have been long enough for most people of this touring party. He must have had incredible mental strength to keep believing that his vision would come true despite his surroundings. Standing there, it was inspirational beyond words. As we wandered down the hall to other cells within the block and they each had their own stories of the inmates it housed and even some keepsakes. One inmate had drawn chess pieces on paper, cut them out and used them - lots of time for chess in prison. For the board, they has drawn the squares on the floor with soap.
The last part of the prison tour was a trip to F Block. Our guide was held here for 10 years. It seemed to be a dorm-style room that housed almost 50 people. On the wall was an example of an ID card and he explained the numbers: he was 6984 - the 69th parishioner in 1984. So Mandela was was the 466th prisoner on Robben Island in 1964. Further along the walls, there were examples of documents showing how inmates had pleaded with authorities to compete in various sporting activities - soccer seemed to be the sport of choice. This was one of the initiatives that the men felt strongly about, but the main one, the key to their influence and eventual release, was education.
Back on the bus, an enthusiastic guide told us that we should be happier after just being released. He led our tour of the rest of the Island. Old churches, war relics such as massive gun turrants and even an education centre. One of the artillery guns was not completed until 1947 - two years after the war was over...
We also went past more of the moving parts of Robben Island. A gentleman called Robert Soubekwe, who started the PAC was another political prisoner on the Island and was kept under house arrest on the island away from the other prisoners, almost until his death. His house was next to the guard dog kennels and went close to insane due to his lack of human contact. In his two room house, there was a modest table, bed and copies of letters that he wrote to loved ones. It clearly showed a man who was lonely and missed the little aspects of daily life. The boys I spoke to couldn't imagine that for a week, let alone years.
The last part of the tour was a visit to the eastern part of the island where an ex prisoner had his ashes scattered by his wife. He had escaped and imprisoned a second time, but had fallen in love with a lady and was allowed leave from the island for 3 hours to marry her. One of the many classic tales that we were told. That ended the tour of the Island and it was definitely one of the highlights of the tour and something each one of us will not forget in a hurry.
Report by Jeremy
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| A friendly pom offered to take our picture. Thommo mentioned the Ashes and the photographer seemed to miss the all important sign above our heads. |
A young Nelson Mandela as photographed by the press in the 1970's.
The cell of prisoner 46664.
A group of lads that were lucky not to be left in the cell.
The infamous lime quarry and the tribute of rocks that ex-prisoners have left since their release.
Beautiful Cape Town from the Robben Island ferry.
For the second match in a row, Miklo the bus driver again decided to take us on a few laps of the school before parking 10 minutes away from the ground, after passing it at least twice.
Despite this positive start both the state of the game and the night sky grew darker as dusk fell over the field and the floodlights began to beam. The Bishops opener and number 3 batsmen countered some good bowling from James, Liam, Brendan and Bruce building a match winning partnership of 60 before Cameron came into the attack and snared a wicket. The Bishops men at the crease then creeped over the line with 8 wickets to spare.
An unfortunate result to conclude a fantastic tour for the boys but I'm sure everyone involved will
remember this day night match for many years to come.
The beautiful Bishops College and one of the best school indoor facility I have seen.
Barker' openers got the team off to a great start.
The Reds rush the field with enthusiasm after the dinner break.
Either by day or by night, it's a wonderful backdrop to a cricket oval and
Bruce sending down another thunderbolt
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