Robben Island and the V and A.

First ferry out to Robben Island, infamous for the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and many other black prisoners .Like Venice, Cape Town is best approached or left, by sea. We were informed by our guides of the long history of the Island, over the centuries, of incarceration, for example, Lepers, whose graveyard is still preserved.It was an army base during the war, and some fearsome guns still remain in place.

However, its place in history will always be defined by Mandela’ s ” Walk to Freedom”, and we were shown the high security prison, Mandela’s cell and the little garden he allegedly planted.Our guide had been imprisoned there himself for seven years, in the eighties; accused of recruiting for the ANC. The pitiful status and treatment of black, political prisoners was outlined by him. There were many murals along the walls of the quay, outlining the inhuman treatment of a whole range of prisoners.It was a brilliantly organised visit.Interestingly, there is still a small village on the island and the water is no longer brought over by boat, from the mainland, as there is a desalination plant in operation.

By contrast,some of  the afternoon was spent in the much heralded Victoria and Albert Docks – a mega collection of shops and restaurants, all more expensive than any where else in Cape Town.Escape was made along the quays, to Mouille Point, a pleasant walk, in bright sunshine and balmy breezes…An extremely varied day, ended in ” Little Ethiopia”, a tiny ethnic restaurant, that we came upon by chance…Authentic and different, greatly appreciated !