Advertisement

Mandela Prison Island Enters The Digital Age

The prison island where South Africa's first democratically leader Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for nearly two decades is entering the digital world.

Interested students, historians or tourists can now take a virtual tour via the internet of the prison cells plus the canteen where the inmates ate and the quarry where they were made to work.

The cameras which use a similar technique to Google Street View even give a ceiling-high view of the very cell where Mr Mandela spent so many years.

Robben Island museum chief executive Sibongiseni Mkhize said: "The reason Robben Island is now a museum is to educate people about the part of South Africa's heritage that is embodied in the island's multi-layered history.

"Together with Google we are making this heritage accessible to people all over the world.'

Former apartheid prisoner and close confidante of Mr Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, said: "Not being able to see or interact with children for 20 years was possibly the most difficult thing to endure during my time on the island.

"There's a poetic justice that children in classrooms all over the world will now be able to visit Robben Island using this technology."

There'll also be teaching notes on Robben Island for teachers who can use the interactive tool.

The launch of the virtual tour was timed to coincide with South Africa's Freedom Day on Monday 27 April.

Director at Google South Africa, Luke McKend, said: "Robben Island is a symbol of South Africa's fight for freedom.

"We're excited about helping people explore the island from any device, anywhere in the world."