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Description
Robben Island Lesson Plan
Warmer
How much do you know about Robben Island?
Follow up by eliciting some interesting facts about Robben Island.
Presentation
Compare Robben Island to a normal prison. Put any new words we use into sentences.
Practice
Interactive Storytelling: History of Robben Island and its prisoners (political prisoners, Nelson Mandela)
Robben Island was controlled by the Dutch and then later, the English. Robben Island received its name because seals or 'Robben' were once common in the surrounding waters. It was a maximum-security prison and it held mostly political prisoners. There was a lime quarry where inmates carried out forced labour. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1964 to 1982. He eventually became the first black president of South Africa.
Why was Robben Island such a harsh environment? (I am talking about the natural environment, not the prison buildings.)
Robben Island was a waterless patch of land, surrounded by shark-inhabited water. This was an excuse not to give prisoners enough water to drink. Robben Island has been used by South African Previous governments as a prison for defeated African chiefs.
Production
Interview
Have you ever seen any films about prison? What did you think of these prisons? What is the biggest difference between Robben Island and a normal prison? Do you have a different answer this time? What is a political prisoner? Why do you think Nelson Mandela was treated differently from normal prisoners? What would you do in Nelson Mandela’s shoes? Can you think of any other famous political prisoners? What do you think of political prisoners? What do you remember about Nelson Mandela?
Extra Reading (in case we run out of activities)
According to the 1964 archive, there were approximately 1500 prisoners on the island and 1000 of them were political prisoners. Political prisoners were given harsher punishments than violent criminals or rapists. Three hundred political prisoners were convicted of sabotage. Sabotage was a crime created by the Sabotage Act of 1962.
There were harsher punishments for sabotage than there were for treason (Treason is betraying the government). If a person was accused of sabotaging the government, they had to prove their innocence to avoid imprisonment.
What was the biggest difference between life in the outside world and life on Robben Island?
Another thing about Robben Island is that white people were never imprisoned there. Political prisoners included Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki. Some of the accused in the famous Rivonia trial were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment. Unlike other prisoners, they are not automatically released early on good behaviour. Some, like Robert Sobukwe, were detained indefinitely thereafter.
What were the biggest physical challenges, considering there was a quarry, forced labour, etc. on Robben Island?
One political prisoner was singled out as the leader of political organisations within the prison. He was placed in solitary confinement once a week, without food. Physical assaults on political prisoners were common. Political prisoners could only receive one letter every 6 months. Political prisoners could only meet one visitor every six months. Mr. Vorster, Minister of Justice said that three prison wardens had been charged for crimes against prisoners on Robben Island. Another 11 wardens had been transferred from Robben Island.
References:
Benson, (10 Aug 2017), The men on Robben Island – archive, 1964, theguardian.com, Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/10/robben-island-prison-south-africa, [Accessed on 25/04/2022]
Britannica, (30 Jul 2021), Robben Island: History, Prison and Facts, britannica.com, Available at [https://www.britannica.com/place/Robben-Island], [Accessed on 25/04/2022]
Cafetalk's cancellation policy
Before request is confirmed (fixed)
- Cancellation possible at any time without charge.
After request is confirmed (fixed)
- More than 24 hours before lesson start time.→ Cancellation is possible at any time.
- Less than 24 hours before lesson start time.→ The tutor may take a cancellation fee.
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No-Show→ The tutor may take a cancellation fee.
(Please check with the tutor for details.)
