Hello from Cape Town!
Today was another exciting and deeply moving day. In the morning, we visited the District Six Museum, where, after our second attempt, we finally managed to get a guide. Through him, we learned so much about the history of the apartheid regime, how people were forcibly removed from their homes in District Six, and about Nelson Mandela’s role in all of it.
The exhibition was incredibly touching and emotional: everywhere we looked, there were old photographs, personal belongings, and handwritten stories of former residents of District Six. It was hard to imagine how many families lost their community – a place that had been their home for generations. And as we were about to find out, this wasn’t the only heartbreaking part of Cape Town’s history we’d encounter today.
After the museum visit, we headed to the Waterfront, where we had some free time to enjoy a delicious meal, stroll through the shops, and pick up a few more souvenirs.
At 2 p.m., we met at the Clock Tower to take the ferry to Robben Island. The ride was pretty windy, and since the last few days had been quite full-on, a few of us even dozed off for a bit… Robben Island zu fahren. Auf der Fähre war es ganz schön windig, und die letzten Tage steckten uns langsam in den Knochen – so schlummerten einige von uns kurz ein …
On the island itself, we were guided by a former inmate who had spent many years there as a political prisoner. His tour was fascinating – he told us about daily life in the prison, how the prisoners treated each other, and how they were treated by the guards.
We could see the inhumane conditions of the cells with our own eyes, and even stepped into a few of them – which made most of us feel uneasy after just a few seconds. The cells were only a few square metres in size, equipped with nothing more than a thin sisal mat for sleeping, a bucket that served as both toilet and wash basin, and a small stool. The barred windows weren’t even fitted with glass until the 1970s, and the last meal of the day was served as early as 4 p.m.
All prisoners were forced to do pointless hard labour in a limestone quarry, which caused serious health problems. If they carried stones from point A to point B one day, they’d have to carry them back the next. Political discussions were forbidden and only possible during showers, when the sound of water drowned out their voices. What kept them strong was their solidarity – and their hope for justice and a better world.
Hearing his personal memories and life story made everything feel incredibly real. We could truly sense what a place of both oppression and resistance Robben Island had been. It left a deep impression on all of us.
Afterwards, we boarded a bus for a full island tour. Over the centuries, Robben Island has served not only as a prison but also as a leper colony and a strategic military base. Our guide, an emeritus professor of Islamic and Arabic philosophy, spoke with passion and intelligence about the island’s history. He shared stories from his own time as a freedom fighter and explained how other countries influenced the end of apartheid – for example, by banning South Africa from international sports competitions.
Despite the heavy and emotional experiences of the day, everyone was once again looking forward to dinner – cooked tonight by Zita, Mara, and Carla. (The chicken, fried potatoes, and salad were absolutely delicious!) Zita, Mara und Carla zubereitet wurde. (Sowohl das Hähnchen als auch die Bratkartoffeln und der Salat waren superlecker!)
All in all, it was another day full of impressions and important moments – the kind that help us truly understand history and that will stay with us for a long time.
