''As part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela's release, the Victor Verster Prison has been named a memorial site.''
I have - with my dad and brother about 12 years ago. I was too young to appreciate the historical context, but I remember being shown a quarry where prisoners were made to break rocks, with no shade from the fierce sun, and Mandela's tiny stone cell.
J.
Reply to this Hi Jonathon, that sounds like Robben Island? I think what Mel is talking about is a new designation for the prison he got moved to on the mainland later in his life?
I visited Robben Island a couple of years ago, while it is shocking to see the conditions amazing people like Mandela were kept in, I think the really interesting and moving part of the visit was being guided around by former prisoners. Meeting these men that have had such a difficult and different life to your own and hearing their stories was fascinating. I didn't go to the Victor Verster prison, but if they develop it in a similar way to Robben Is then hopefully it can be another effective way of educating tourists about South Africa's troubled history and inspiring people.
Reply to this Do you have a blog about the guided tour by the former prisoners, Frankwah? If so, would you post a link to it here, because I would like to read about it. 😊
Reply to this Hi Mell,
Sorry, I only wrote a couple of sentences about the visit in my blog, I'm not sure I could really put it into words properly, certainly not to do the ex-prisoners there the justice they deserve anyway.
Reply to this I'm not sure I could really put it into words properly, certainly not to do the ex-prisoners there the justice they deserve anyway.
Yeah, that's understandable. 😊
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