Yesterday, I was fortunate to visit Robben Island, the site where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were held because of their resistance to the apartheid regime (a period of intense oppression for black and colored (mixed race) people by the white minority). If you’ve seen the movie Skin, you’ll know what I’m talking about.Walking around the empty yard where prisoners once spent 
eight to ten hours of every day doing manual labor was an emotional experience. I could only begin to imagine what they went through here. Viewing Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell (see photo) and speaking with an ex-prisoner (who had been convicted for five years for leading a student protest movement against the regime in the 80’s) was incredible.
eight to ten hours of every day doing manual labor was an emotional experience. I could only begin to imagine what they went through here. Viewing Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell (see photo) and speaking with an ex-prisoner (who had been convicted for five years for leading a student protest movement against the regime in the 80’s) was incredible. My trip to Robben Island has been just one of the many reminders of the consequences of apartheid. Last week, I visited District Six, a residential 
area in Cape Town that had been deemed as a “whites only area” under the Group Areas Act of 1957. Shortly after the implementation of this Act, the government forced thousands of colored and black people to relocate to informal settlements on the outskirts of the city. The entire area was demolished, businesses closed, and homes destroyed to make space for white people to move into the area. Because of the cruel removal of these families, no one wanted to move into the district, leaving wide spaces of undeveloped land in the middle of the city. Today, the land remains largely empty (with the exception of a once bustling Main Street-see photo), an eerie testament to a legacy of oppression.
area in Cape Town that had been deemed as a “whites only area” under the Group Areas Act of 1957. Shortly after the implementation of this Act, the government forced thousands of colored and black people to relocate to informal settlements on the outskirts of the city. The entire area was demolished, businesses closed, and homes destroyed to make space for white people to move into the area. Because of the cruel removal of these families, no one wanted to move into the district, leaving wide spaces of undeveloped land in the middle of the city. Today, the land remains largely empty (with the exception of a once bustling Main Street-see photo), an eerie testament to a legacy of oppression. Even my daily conversations with locals who lived during this dark period of South A
frica’s history have given me incredible insight into life under apartheid. Many of them remember when they had to carry around “pass books” that dictated where they could and could not go, whom they could marry, and where they could live. Imagine the Jim Crow Laws of our country, but ten times worse.
frica’s history have given me incredible insight into life under apartheid. Many of them remember when they had to carry around “pass books” that dictated where they could and could not go, whom they could marry, and where they could live. Imagine the Jim Crow Laws of our country, but ten times worse. Apartheid 
was a horrible “prison” that bred racism, inequality, and hatred. Yet, a discussion with a young, black entrepreneur or a visit to a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tolerance reveals a country that is slowly working to break free from these bars that are holding it back. One only needs to visit the empty cells of Robben Island prison to see how far this country has come.
was a horrible “prison” that bred racism, inequality, and hatred. Yet, a discussion with a young, black entrepreneur or a visit to a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tolerance reveals a country that is slowly working to break free from these bars that are holding it back. One only needs to visit the empty cells of Robben Island prison to see how far this country has come. 
It's a compelling story - Apartheid. Thanks for sharing it at ground zero.
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