Guest Speaker & Trip to Robben Island

Today was our first time entering the TSiBA school. There, we gathered in the auditorium with the students we met yesterday while touring the Langa Township. Most of us sat next to our new friends from TSiBA, which made the room mirror a “rainbow nation” as Desmond Tutu would so eloquently put it. We sat there patiently and with anticipation until our very special guest speaker took the podium. After formal introductions, Ahmed Kathrada took the stage and began to share heartfelt stories about his past fighting for the country that he loves so very much. His quick wit and exceptional story telling talent made this 80 year old man a pleasure to listen to and kept his entire audience – South African natives, as well as Americans, fully engaged. One of the points he stressed was the importance of education and continuous learning.

Mr. Kathrada told stories about the time when he and Nelson Mandela were kept in maximum security prison at Robben Island. They were banned from reading books beyond a certain hour, or sometimes not allowed to read at all. However, given these barriers, they still found a way to further their education and continue to learn to the best ability. The point was that there is no excuse for our children today to not educate themselves even under uneasy circumstances. We should all take advantage of every opportunity we can to learn and expand our minds with knowledge all while being responsible. As Mr. Kathrada said, “At the end of the day, we owe it to ourselves, our family, and our country.” The discussion concluded with a question and answer session where one of the students said something that touched my heart: “Thank you for sacrificing your youth so we could have our freedom.”

We then made our way to the Waterfront and awaited the ferry to bring us to Robben Island. I envisioned the island to look somewhat like Alcatraz; a large prison sitting on a lone island. Instead, it was more like a camp; a torture chamber; a place for prisoners to do monotonous activities until they lose their spirits and morale. Once arriving on the island, we gathered on a bus which would then take us on a tour of the island. Reality sunk in when we pulled up to the Lime Quarry. I began to imagine Nelson Mandela tediously hammering away in the blazing heat and intense sun, without shade or sunglasses. My throat became dry as I felt a tear run down my cheek. On the quarry was a pile of rocks that has recently been laid down by the prisoners of Robben Island as a sign of reflection. The first rock was placed by Mr. Mandela himself. This man forgave those who caused his blindness that he is still suffering with today.

Both the speech given by Ahmed Kathrada and the visit to Robben Island taught us all in a way that we would not be able to learn in books. We listened to firsthand experiences and walked through the halls and fields that major historical figures walked over. This was a truly a real experience that will stay with us and inspire us for the rest of our lives.

- Christine Caserta