The Robben Island Museum (RIM) is a public entity in the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, responsible for managing, maintaining, presenting, developing, and marketing Robben Island as a national estate and World Heritage Site.
The museum was established by the Department of Arts and Culture in 1997 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The Robben Island Museum implements a wide range of conservation, educational, tourist development, research, archiving and general heritage programmes that are designed to achieve its mandate; conserve the Island’s natural and cultural resources and heritage; and promote it as a platform for critical debate and life-long learning.
The Robben Island Museum is also responsible for managing and maintaining the assets of the Island. These include the Maximum and Medium Security Prison Complexes, Robert Sobukwe’s House, the Curio and Village Shops, the Village Precinct and associated recreational facilities, the Helipad and runway on the Island, World War 2 memorials, power generation and water processing plants, Jetty 1 and the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, the Mayibuye Archives, the three (3) ferries that transport people to the Island and the fleet of buses used by tourists on the Island.
Vision
The vision of the Robben Island Museum is to preserve and promote Robben Island as an inspirational national treasure and World Heritage Site that symbolises the triumph of the human spirit over extreme adversity and injustice.
Mission
The mission of the Robben Island Museum is:
- To conserve and manage the cultural and natural heritage in order to retain the significance and the outstanding universal value of the site.
- To promote an inclusive and holistic understanding of the Island’s multi-layered history.
- To develop responsible and sustainable tourism products and services that offer a unique visitor experience.
- To share, educate, and communicate the values, experience, and legacy of Robben Island.
- To ensure the Robben Island Museum adheres to good practices for managing a World Heritage Site.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Prof Sathasivan [Saths] Cooper
Deputy Chairperson
- Ms Princess Mangoma
Council Members
- Mr Dawood Coovadia
- Mr Enver Daniels
- Mr Litha Jolobe
- Mr Makgolo Makgolo
- Mr Thembinkosi Ngcobo
- Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
- Dr Nolitha Vukuza
Chief Executive Officer
- Ms Abigail Thulare
Chief Financial Officer
- Mr Karabo Ramela
Senior Management
- Ms Carly Bongers (Risk and Performance)
- Mr Fathuwani Khomogwe
- Ms Sabelo Madlala
- Ms Mapootla Makhoalibe (Chief Infrastructure Officer)
- Ms Siphuxolo Mazwi (Marketing and Tourism)
- Mr Bonginkosi Mcanyana
- Mr Tshimangadzo Nemaheni (Chief Heritage Officer)
- Ms Linda Penicela
- Mr Prince Williams
- Ms Ayanda Woji (Public Heritage and Education)
Communications Officers
- Mrs Diana Beneke
- Mrs Siphuxolo Mazwi
- Ms Neliswa Mdletye (Executive PA to the CEO)
- Mr Sabelo Mzanywa
Contact Details
The contact details of the Robben Island Museum are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Robben Island Museum, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 51806, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002 |
| Telephone: | 021 413 4200 |
| Email: | infow@robben-island.org.za |
| Website: | www.robben-island.org.za |
READ MORE:
➜ List of Galleries, Museums, and Theatres in South Africa
➜ National Government of South Africa
| Galleries, Museums & Theatres under South Africa’s National Government |
|---|
| Amazwi South African Museum of Literature . Artscape Theatre Centre . Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument . Ditsong: Museums of South Africa . Freedom Park . Iziko Museums of South Africa . KwaZulu-Natal Museum . Luthuli Museum . Mandela Bay Theatre Complex . Market Theatre Foundation . National Museum in Bloemfontein . Nelson Mandela Museum . Robben Island Museum . South African State Theatre . The Playhouse Company . uMsunduzi Museum . War Museum of the Boer Republics . William Humphreys Art Gallery |
