Robben Island

For me, visiting Robben Island is walking on sacred ground. This is the place that shaped the destiny of South Africa. This is the place where political prisoners found the fortutude and grace to plan a South AFrica that would represent all of its people. What continues to be completely stunning to me and so many of my friends here is the commitment to reconciliation. While on Robben Island, we listened to Tulani, a former political prisoner and our guide, speak of his years of imprisonment- the mental and physical torture that he and his family experienced- and the conscious decision he made to align himself with Mandela and others. He said, "We South Africans are a forgiving people." Even with memories of repression still very fresh, revenge and reparation aren't even a consideration, it is healing and a better future that is sought.