Robben Island

Robben Island

Immovable Culture Heritage

Robben Island is a UNESCO world heritage site due to the intangible heritage that the site represents. It served as a political prison for the Apartheid government of South Africa, where they held numerous people who fought against their regime. The most notable prisoner is Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years on the island through his 27 years of imprisonment by the Apartheid government. He then became the first President of a post-Apartheid South Africa. While most known for its Apartheid-era usage, it has been used a political prison since the 1600s, where Dutch colonialists imprisoned indigenous tribal leaders, opposition colonial leaders as well as the leaders of a mutiny on a slave ship, the Meermin. It also holds natural value, for example, scientists study the population of penguins resident on the island. Digital interpretation of Robben Island contributes to Goal 16 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as it will allow promotion of justice, by teaching about prior injustice. This also links to Goal 10, reducing inequalities. Furthermore, it will contribute to Goal 11.4 through the strengthening of Cultural Heritage as it represents a key site for the story of the fight against Apartheid.

is51102025

1600s

ec349@st-andrews.ac.uk

Site

1280

22/03/2025

03/22/2025 06:49:11 pm

https://www.robben-island.org.za/

cm x cm x cm

current,-33.8034784063154,18.368994711781856;

Government of South Africa

Robben Island

https://www.robben-island.org.za/

TEXT

Building

Robben Island, Cape Town, 7400

3039

Robben Island Museum

ec349@st-andrews.ac.uk