By Abra Barbier
Copyright sabcnews
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture commemorated thousands of former political prisoners, who had been incarcerated on Robben Island during colonial times and apartheid. The event saw the unveiling of a wall of remembrance, inscribed with the names to the thousands of faceless inmates imprisoned on the isalnd.
At the event, hosted by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, six statues were also unveiled. These statues include Autschumato, Krotoa, Robert Sobukwe and Nelson Mandela.
Mckenzie described the event, as a happy and sad day. He says everyone who spent time here, would be honoured.
He also apologised to those freedom fighters, who had been forgotten.
[WATCH] The Robben Island ex-political prisoners’ reunion is under way at the Robben Island Museum. Former prisoners from South Africa and Namibia honour their bravery during apartheid, with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on the podium. pic.twitter.com/EAvpPF8PkT
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 27, 2025
“I want to apologise to the freedom fighters. As a government official I’m here to tell you we have not treated you in the manner that you should have been treated, and I’m sorry for that. The walls of Robben Island were once constructed with the primary goal of swallowing human lives and the people sent here were meant to be forgotten and removed,” says Mckenzie.
The Minister has arrived at the @robben_island
The Ex-Political Prisoners’ Reunion is about to begin.
A historic gathering to honour the sacrifices made for our freedom.#RobbenIsland #ExPoliticalPrisoners #Reunion2025 #DSAC #HeritageMonth2025 #Freedom #Democracy… pic.twitter.com/ts9T7D7Bs0
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) September 27, 2025
McKenzie’s cabinet colleague, leader of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, acknowledged the apology by McKenzie, saying its long overdue.
“We really appreciate what Minister McKenzie has done. We also, ofcourse accept the apology that he has rendered. He said he is apologising to the PAC for how PAC has been treated in this country. Now we are happy that Sobukwe is being recognised. We are happy that everyone is recognised according to his or her own contribution, not according to a political party,” says Nyhontso.
The family of one of the men being honoured, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, explained how he, a Namibian ended up on Robben Island, with other South African freedom fighters.
His wife, Vicky ya Toivo, says he was assisting combatants, who came to South Africa to train people, when he was arrested.
She says when she asked him how he survived his time here, especially the year and a half he was in solitary confinement, he told her it was because he knew he was fighting for a noble cause.
“Andimba firmly believed that when Namibians were fighting the South African apartheid colonial regime, they were also fighting for the people of South Africa, so it is fitting that we should be here. We are very very honoured. There is a statue of Andimba that has been put on Robben Island. It’s a recognition of not only him, but the other political prisoners from Namibia and the struggle of the people of Namibia,” she adds.
The Minister has officially led the opening of six statues at the Robben Island precinct, marking a historic moment in our nation’s journey.
The Wall of Honour was also unveiled, carrying the names of struggle heroes who sacrificed for our democracy.
A wreath was laid in their… pic.twitter.com/Nmb637Usui
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) September 27, 2025
VIDEO | Minister McKenzie acknowledges past wrongdoings against PAC
