Seminarians from St Francis Xavier Visit Robben Island

Students from St Francis Xavier Orientation Seminary in Cape Town visited Robben Island, where the late President Nelson Mandela and other activists were imprisoned under the apartheid government.

Young Catholic seminarians studying in Cape Town had the opportunity to visit historic Robben Island.

Students of St Francis Xavier Orientation Seminary, who come from all over South Africa, took a boat trip to the island, where the late President Nelson Mandela and other political activists were imprisoned.

“The excursion was an eye-opener about where we come from as South Africans, especially the young people who today are known as the ‘born frees’,” said seminarian Njabulo Nzuza.

Dumisani Mwandla tour guide

“We were also delighted to have as our tour guide Dumisani Mwandla, one of the legendary political prisoners to be held for five and a half years, from 1986-91, on the island.”

Mr Mwandla painted a picture, “which seized not only the imaginations but also the emotions” of the students, Mr Nzuza said.

“He spoke about the kind of life they lived while serving their sentences, for example, the sports and indoor games which kept them going despite torture and feelings of despair that they endured.”

The day concluded with a boat ride back to the Waterfront.


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Erin Carelse
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