On July 25, 2008, I walked from my hotel with several others from our tour group to the Nelson Mandela Gateway Pier, on the beautiful, scenic Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront in Capetown, South Africa. With tickets in hand, we climbed aboard the 3-deck, 300 seater, "Sikhululekile" ferry boat. The ferry boat's name means "We are Free". It is commissioned and operated by the Robben Island Museum, running between Capetown and Robben Island, ferrying visitors to and from the Island. Robben Island is now recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage site.

I was certainly very eager to take the 30-minute jaunt over the Atlantic Ocean's waves to the infamous Robben Island. I already knew it would be one of the most unforgettable experiences I would encounter during my visit to South Africa. I also recognized how emotional it would be for me to actually see where Mr. Mandela had been held prisoner for all those years.

Since the end of the 17th century, Robben Island had been used for isolating certain people, It has served as a leper colony, a mental health asylum, and a defense and training station in World War II. In 1961 political prisoners were brought to the island. In 1962, prisoners were used to build a new prison on Robben Island. During apartheid, Robben Island was known for its institutional brutality, isolation of opponents of apartheid and doing all things possible to crush the spirit and morale of its prisoners. It was the most feared prison of apartheid. Many African National Congress (ANC) members, including Nelson Mandela, as one of the ANC leaders, were imprisoned under brutal conditions.

Prisoner #466/84, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, was 46 years old, upon arrival on the Island, sentenced to life in prison. Mandela was prisoner on the Island for 18 of 27 years of imprisonment. Nelson Mandela described Robben Island as the harshest, most iron-fisted outpost in the South African penal system. He further stated, "Being imprisoned at Robben Island was like going to another country. Its isolation made it not simply another prison, but a world of its own."

More than 3,00 political prisoners were held on Robben Island, from 1961 -1991. Our tour guide, "Modise" was one of them. He introduced himself to us, outside of the maximum security section of the prison. Modise was arrested in 1977 and only 14 years old at the time. He came on the Island, an angry, bitter, young man with hatred toward white people. He orginally disagreed with Mandela’s philosophy of peace and reconciliation. However, he explained, over a period of time, he adopted Nelson Mandela’s broader perspective. Mandela referred to the government as, the “Government of Apartheid”. He felt Blacks and Whites were divided by government policy and oppressed by them. The government was playing both sides, pitting the races against each other.

During his imprisonment, Modise explained, he had been tortured so severely by the Afrikaan warders (prison guards), he contemplated committing suicide on at least three different occasions. He chose not to do so out of respect for Mandela and because he did not want to give the Security Force the pleasure of another political prisoner dying. Modise paused at this point and requested anyone videotaping to refrain from doing so. Now, our guide described the horrific, physical and psychological methods of torture the warders often used on him and other political prisoners in order to obtain any information they sought. His descriptive account brought tears to my eyes. Emotionally and physically scarred, Modise, over time, chose to let go of the past and pain he endured because “Madiba” (Mandela) said to do so.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1/21/2009 2:44:19 AM - 002022988860
Merle,

Thanks so much for visiting the Wendy Loves Africa Website and leaving your comment. Our trip to South Africa was truly an unforgettable journey for me too. I was blessed to have met you and our other travel companions. I hope to see you soon at our Friends of the Peace Train Benefit Concert, on Sunday, February 1st, to in our efforts to build a school in Ngcolosi, South Africa. I look forward to returning to South Africa to assist in helping to build the school this summer. I'll be sure to take lots of photos to keep you informed about our progress.
 
Peace, Blessings and Prosperity to you in 2009 and always,
Khethiwendi

1/20/2009 1:56:14 AM - 002054516736

Dear Wendy:

   Your (camera) eye captured so many memories for me that I keep going back to relive our journey.  I remember  so many of the childrens' faces, the places we visited, the smells, the food and, most of all, the mix of personalities of other people on our tour.....anyone who sees the images can only use their imagination but we lived it!!!

   It is with love in my heart and good wishes for a joyous and peaceful New Year that I send this,

           with deepest thanks,

              Merle

               

 

9/13/2008 2:43:41 PM - 002029812860

Wendy,

     This was a true pleasure. I have never seen pictures so pretty. The dept and colors are fantastic. I loved the dancing and all the performances were spectacular. I am a Lutheran and we support a Church and a couple of schools in Tanzania. I would like more information on touring South Africa and also going to the school that you visited. What would a Church do to get all that information? What about a concert? Does that sound familiar? I will check out the other links on your page.  God's Peace Thanks Terrie

9/4/2008 7:46:28 PM - 002027976970

Wendy,

 

Thank you for the wonderful journey to South Africa via your pictures and videos. I look forward to my journey to South Africa with you and your friends. It was such a pleasure to meet and be entertained by such wonderful performers on Tuesday evening at Temptations, the music was infectious especially the saxophone.  I'm sure that the mission that the Peace Train is on will continually grow as they Serve, educate and empower  more people come aboard,  I'm glad that you reserved me a seat on The Peace Train.

 

Love and Peace,

Keith G.

9/1/2008 1:59:31 PM - 001065324949

Dear Sister Wendy,

Thank you for coming with The Peace Train to South Africa. Your pictures and stories take me home and I love to visit this site often to see how you have captured the  beauty and depth of our home.

Ngiybonga kakhulu.

Our journey will continue as we build together and bring our energy and love to the children!

Peace & Love,
Sharon Katz

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Lions

We saw a pride of lions in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Unfortunately the video is shaky and the quality is very poor.

Dancing at Moyo's with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train

Friends of the Peace Train from the U.S. and Canada that traveled to South Africa, with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, dance to the group's music, at Moyo's Restaurant in Durban, South Africa on July 19, 2008.

Kwa-Zulu Natal Welcome to Sharon Katz & Friends

Kwa-Zulu Natal Performers at Stable Theatre, Durban, South Africa welcome Sharon Katz & Friends of the Peace Train visiting from the U.S., on July 19,2008

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 for 1-night only.

 

This benefit concert will help build a school in Ngcolosi, South Africa where children currently walk 3 hours a day to school - most on empty stomachs - but determined to learn & make this a better world. 

 

Only $15 admission

for great music and a great cause,

so please tell your friends and get your tickets early.

 

   Thursday, May 28, 2009

     7:30 PM

 

Joe's Pub at the Public Theater 

425 Lafayette St.

New York, NY 10003

Directions to Joe's Pub: Joe's Pub is part of The Joseph Papp Public Theater, located at 425 Lafayette Street between East 4th and Astor Place in New York's East Village. There is a parking garage at 403 Lafayette Street, just south of The Public Theater. By Subway: 6 to Astor Place and Lafayette Street/4th Avenue N/R/W to 8th Street/NYU at Broadway Tickets in advance: 212-967-7555 http://tickets.publictheater.org/calendar/view.asp?id=8178

For more info about the school, the band and their work: