Steph was exhausted from her trip the day before, and my sleep cycle was out of whack.
We caught the Makana ferry just in time. During the 20-minute ride, they showed a video telling the history of Robben Island, but it was a bit noisy and we didn't get to hear much of it.
Once we reached this small, very flat, sandy island where Nelson Mandela was prisoner number 466-64 from 1964 until 1982.
I thought back to when I first arrived at U.C. Berkeley to begin my MBA in 1986. (Berkeley Business school seemed like an oxymoron.) There were students on the steps of Sproul Hall protesting for the divestiture of UC funds from South Africa.
Then in 1989, I saw Bishop Tutu speak in Orange County, where I was shocked to discover, there were people protesting his appearance.
Finally, two years later, I saw the newly freed Nelson Mandela speak at the Oakland Coliseum. How great it was to be visiting this island as museum -- a place of things past rather than present.
Our tour guide was a woman named Bukiwe Sofute. She had served in another prison for 6 years for her activities with the ANC. When she was first imprisoned she was 7 months pregnant and lost the child while being tortured by the prison wards.
She asked us what we thought we would miss if we were in prison, then she answered her question, "Holding a child." She told us how she was not allowed to her child once during her time in prison.
Despite all of this, she was a very positive person. When we asked her how she managed not to be bitter, she responded that, "The only way we can re-build this country is through forgiveness."
I can't really express how inspirational that visit was.
When we got back to the Waterfront, there were a number of great street performers--drummers, dancers, and acapella singers.
In addition, there was a mime who decided to make me a target in front of his rather large audience. I responded by walking on my hands--something he was unable to imitate, much to the delight of the crowd.
That night we enjoyed a lively Italian dinner with Barney and Robert as we talked about our impending departure.
Sunday in Cape Town - Robben Island (10/22/00)
Stephanie at entrance to Robben Island
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