Cape Town - A replica of Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island will be unveiled next week at Spine Road High School as part of Heritage Month commemorations.
The outside of the "cell" is covered with comic strip pictures from a book of life on Robben Island. On the back of the cell is a picture of Mandela when he was moved from the prison.
Cape radio personality Carl Wastie will facilitate the official launch on Monday while Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatima Chohan will hand over smart IDs to pupils.
This replica will tour 14 schools in Mitchells Plain under the theme: "Madiba the good citizen". “I think that the biggest feature is the four stalwarts: Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Dennis Goldberg and Eddie Daniels.
"Learners will get the opportunity to engage with them by asking questions about their time on Robben Island,” said advocate Andre Gaum, parliamentary liaison officer.
“The smart IDs will help teach the learners about citizenship and also the rights, privileges and responsibilities that comes with it. The learners will also be role models to other learners and people in the community. Not to use drugs and do crime and other things that are not examples of what a good citizen should be,” said Gaum.
Principal of Glendale High School, Achmat Chotia said: “We need to go back to the icon and the good role model that is Madiba. The replica is for those who cannot afford to go to Robben Island. And bringing Madiba back to the people.”
Philip Key, owner of Moonlighting Filmmakers said:"The cell is a carbon copy of the cell constructed in the film Long Walk To Freedom.”