FUTURE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROBBEN ISLAND

Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture Science and Technology

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR LIONEL MTSHALI

Cabinet, today approved the recommendations by the Future of Robben Island Committee.

Following a decision by Cabinet in 1993, that the Department of Correctional Services should vacate Robben Island and the end of 1996, Cabinet in August 1995 approved the establishment of the Future of Robben Island Committee. The brief of the Committee, with Mr Ahmed Kathrada as chairperson, was to invite proposals for the future utilisation and development of the Island.

The recommendations submitted to Cabinet, and which were approved today, are that:

• Robben Island should be developed as a World Heritage Site, National Monument and National Museum, which can become a cultural and conservation showcase for the new South African democracy, while at the same time maximising the economic, tourism and educational potential of the island, and so encouraging that multi-purpose usage.
• The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology should become the new controlling authority, taking over from the Department of Correctional Services on 1 January 1997.
• The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act (Act 29 of 1969) should name Robben Island a Declared Cultural Institution and appoint a governing Council and Director.
• With regard to the Museum functions mentioned above, Robben Island should be run as a site museum, where the total environment is conserved in an integrated way, in line with modern international conservation approaches, and that the ex-political prison be converted into a Museum of the Freedom Struggle in South Africa.
• The Robben Island Museum should be conceptualised and built on three pillars: Robben Island as the core; administrative facilities and a complementary site on the mainland; and a national and international function, designed both to promote international co-operation and to connect directly to broader transformation processes in South African society, for example by reinforcing and giving direction to the plethora of other legacy projects being proposed countrywide to deal with the struggle for and the establishment of democracy in South Africa.
• In order to equip the new Robben Island museum in an expeditious and cost effective way, the Minister should request the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to agree to the incorporation of the Mayibuye Centre and the non-profit UWC-initiated Robben Island Gateway project in the new Robben Island institution.
• After taking over the management of Robben Island on 1 January 1997, the new controlling authority should initiate a systematic and broadly participative planning process, facilitated by a suitably qualified agency, for the long term development and multi-purpose use of Robben Island.
• The special history of Robben Island be taken into account during the planning and development process, amongst others via the inclusion of ex-political prisoners and a representative from the President's Office on the Council of the new Declared Cultural Institution, as well as through arrangements which can contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of ex-prisoners.
• The new controlling authority should make special efforts to generate income independently of state funds, inter alia by establishing a Robben Island Trust, with President Mandela as patron-in-chief and a panel of distinquished South African and international trustees.
• The redevelopment of Robben Island should be phased.

In the over 200 submissions received by the Kathrada Committee, four key aspects were prominently emphasized;

• the need to commemmorate and conserve the historical and political importance of the Island;
• tourism as a means of generating income;
• the natural environment;
• and the desirability of ensuring Robben Island's on-going relevance as an inspirational and education "living memorial".

The grass commercialisation of Robben Island was overwhelmingly rejected in submissions to the Committee.

Minister Mtshali said that these recommendations should provide for a sustainable and integrated management and development plan for Robben Island. Not only are they in accordance with broad public opinion, but will also serve to protect the historical and political integrity of the Island and thereby ensuring that it remains a site of national and international importance. In addition these recom- mendations will make it possible to maximise the Island's tourism, economic and educational potential and so contribute significantly to the broad process of reconstruction in South Africa.

Enquiries: Frans Basson Tel: (021) 454850/70 4 September 1996