Robben Island

by Charlene Smith

Far-reaching political changes in South Africa have re-ignited much interest in Robben Island, particularly as the South African President, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned there for so long. This is an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1868720624
• ISBN13: 9781868720620
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: New Holland Australia(AU)
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Insight and Inspiration

On a visit to Robben Island, Cape Town we bought this book ahead of time. Although I had heard rave reviews of it on radio in South Africa and seen excellent newpaper and magazine reviews,I still thought it would be a dour summary of the history of this important site. However, I was thrilled by the evocative writing. The telling of stories in every chapter, whether we are being taken by a marine archaeologist working in Table Bay to the depths of the ocean to examine the incredible findings in this near perfect martime archaeological site, to the wonderful love story of Wilton and Irene Mkwayi who were the first people allowed to be married at the prison in teh 20th century - the couple were in their sixties, he was jailed with Nelson Mandela and she died not long after. The stories of the natural environment, the flora and fauna added richness to our explorations while on the Island. We could almost hear the myths and legends of the place and the seas ring to us as we stood on the beach and felt wind gust about us. My grandfather was in the Navy during the Second World War and I felt I could understand some of his experiences from the chapter on that time. The chapters on Robben Island as a prison, particularly a political prison gave me a whole new insight into this Island and the people who have risen to greatness despite being on it. I have since bought this book for others who have loved it and cannot recommend it too highly. J Myburgh.