Having read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography and being interested in South African history, I scheduled a tour to Robben Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

The rock quarry where Mandela worked during his prison term, photographed through the bus window.

Penguins on Robben Island.

Only one person escaped (twice!) from Robben Island (David Stuurman in 1809 and 1820).

The “beds” Mandela and other prisoners slept on.

Example of the “mattress” and blanket used by prisoners.

Segregated by color, prisoners received food based on their race.

Our tour guide was a former prisoner, serving for eight years, some of it with Mandela.  As a young person, he recruited militants for the African National Congress (ANC).  On the outside, he could not get a job.  When the prison opened up to visitors, former prisoners were hired to lead the tours.  He now lives on the Island as a free man and tour guide.

The only photo of Mandela while in prison.  The Red Cross came to check out conditions; he was given different clothes to wear so the Red Cross would think the prisoners were being treated well.

The corner of the prison courtyard where Mandela buried the original copy of his autobiography.

Prison cell.