On this day in history: Journalists first visited Robben Island
On April 25 1977, The South African government allowed journalists to visit the prison on Robben Island for the first time.
A total of 20 local journalists, five correspondents of international news agencies and two official photographers were invited to Robben Island prison in 1977.
At the time 370 men, who were convicted under security legislation were held at the prison. On the island, 12km north east of Cape Town, political prisoners of the anti-apartheid movement were kept together with hardened criminals.
Although Robben Island had been used as a prison and a place where people were isolated, banished and exiled to for more than 300 years, the new maximum-security prison was established in the early 1960s.
The living conditions, particularly in the early years, were extremely bad. Prisoners had to labour in the limestone quarry on the island. Their clothing was inadequate and they had to sleep on thin straw mats on a stone floor.
Conditions at the prison were improved after strikes and protests in 1971. By the time the journalists visited, conditions were more humane and prisoners were allowed to study.
During this visit in 1977, living conditions were considered in general to be satisfactory, but the lack of contact with the outside world was very severe.
Source: SA History
