During Apartheid, South Africa had a teired racial system. While on a tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years of his sentence, I saw the following sign outlining the daily food allotment for different ethnic groups:
The Entrance to Robben Island:
Even while in prison there was no equality. For political prisoners it was even worse as they were forced to do hard labor (breaking stones, mining, etc.) with no safety gear while common criminals were taught skilled trades. This is one of the cells that Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life in:
During his presidency, Mandela insisted that Robben Island be turned into a museum and that tours be given by former politcal prisoners. Preserving Robben Island was part of his overall efforts towards reconcilliation.
Nelson Mandela started this rockpile in a lime quary that he formerly labored in. The other rocks were placed there by other former political prisoners:
The Entrance to Robben Island:
Even while in prison there was no equality. For political prisoners it was even worse as they were forced to do hard labor (breaking stones, mining, etc.) with no safety gear while common criminals were taught skilled trades. This is one of the cells that Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life in:
During his presidency, Mandela insisted that Robben Island be turned into a museum and that tours be given by former politcal prisoners. Preserving Robben Island was part of his overall efforts towards reconcilliation.
"True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past."
"South Africans must recall the terrible past so that we can deal with it,forgiving where forgiveness is necessary but never forgetting"
Nelson Mandela, on leaving office as South African president, 15 June 1999.
Nelson Mandela started this rockpile in a lime quary that he formerly labored in. The other rocks were placed there by other former political prisoners:
No comments:
Post a Comment