A historic reunion for former political prisoners is set to take place at the Robben Island Museum on Saturday, 27 September. The event, organised by the Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie in partnership with the Association for Ex-Political Prisoners (AEPP) and the Robben Island Museum (RIM), will bring together former political prisoners from both South Africa and Namibia.
Minister McKenzie said the gathering would be a profound moment of remembrance, healing, and national reflection. The theme for the event is “Reuniting with Robben Island as the Stronghold that Fortified Our Resistance to Achieve Our Freedom.”
The reunion is a tribute to the "extraordinary bravery, unyielding resilience, and unwavering commitment of those who were imprisoned for their role in the fight against apartheid,” McKenzie said in a statement.
As part of the day’s programme, all former political prisoners who were incarcerated on Robben Island, including those from Namibia, will be awarded commemorative medals in recognition of their sacrifice. The event will also feature the unveiling of a wall of names, honouring all former prisoners. Additionally, statues of some of the iconic figures will be inaugurated, serving as a permanent symbol of their bravery.
A Living Monument of Resilience and Hope
The reunion is taking place during Heritage Month, which Minister McKenzie said underscores Robben Island’s continued importance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He described the site as "a living monument of resilience, unity, and hope for present and future generations.”
The decision to include Namibian ex-political prisoners was a direct request from the AEPP. Vusithemba Ndima, South Africa’s Deputy Director-General of Heritage Promotion and Preservation, highlighted the importance of this inclusion, noting that the Namibians "stayed and struggled together as brothers" with their South African counterparts. Ndima said that the project would symbolise their shared resilience.
The reunion comes after a recent visit by a South African delegation, led by Minister McKenzie, who met with Namibia’s Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, and former Robben Island political prisoners in Namibia on Monday.
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