The Legacy of the Fence
Some see the fence, others see the possibilities.
For the Sisulus, Kathradas and Mandelas of Robben Island,
the fence was the cold, hard crystallization of all the
obstacles standing between the prisoners and the
world they dreamed of.
A world free from injustice and discrimination.
It was on Robben Island, among the limestone quarry
and under the ever watchful eye of the guard tower,
that the seeds of revolution flowered among these men.
From within the constraints of the fence,
they envisioned and planned for the democratic
South Africa that they would one day build.
They were separated from the reality of a free and equal
South Africa, but they would not give up hope.
Their bodies may have been in prison, but their minds
and hearts refused to be confined.
They trained their eyes to see beyond the fence,
to the promise of tomorrow, the promise of peace and freedom.
Our artists capture the full circle of the fences’ story in
their inspired art works.
From holding captive Mandela
and the men of liberty, the fence has become a vision of hope
which tells the story of our long road to democracy,
and reminds us that we to can overcome the challenges of our past, and
surmount the “fences” in our lives that hold us back.
THE JOURNEY OF THE FENCE
The fence surrounded Robben Island for decades and when it was discarded as a part of an upgrade for the
celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela, the artist Christopher Swift discovered
the pile of abandoned metal on a routine visit to the island in 2009.
Chris was completing his final year at Michealis, UCT School of fine art, using discarded material to create art.
He would later win the Michaelis prize and become the top student of the year. He also won the Spier Contemporary 2010 award.
Chris immediately realized the significance of the fence.
"It was like South Africa’s Berlin wall."
Imagine the stories that fence could tell.
He arranged with permission to have the fence transported off the island and
began creating his legacy – amazing art pieces that honored the fence.
The pictures below display the journey of the fence.
From one of the last photo’s taken of the fence to it’s ultimate destruction and demise and finally the rescue and processing by Christopher.
Sun International - Sun Star
The Robben Island Fence company is responsible for the sharing of the legacy of the fence with the world.
To this extent we saw the birth of the Art which allows the man in the street to own an investment piece of this legacy,
encouraging everyone to look
“Beyond the Fence”
In our ongoing efforts to promote,the concept of looking beyond the fence, and the art, the Robben Island
Fence Company, co-sponsored an inspirational project and proudly present:
THE SUN STAR
A World Design Capital approved initiative on Signal Hill that saw its birth through the inspiration of Christopher Swift, the support of Sun International and the approval of the City of Cape Town.
The purpose of the Star is multi-layered:
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A lighthouse for possibility;
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a giant symbol of celebration and acknowledgment;
In essence it is a project that promotes being willing to see things in a different light which may give one the
perspective needed to find intelligent solutions that add value for a sustainable & brighter South Africa.
The use of the original Robben Island prison fencing represents the coming together of our people, accepting the past and embracing our future
In 2016 the structure was moved and now stands proud in Sun City on the Pilanesberg to a height of 70 feet.
The center SUN being partially constructed of “The Robben Island Fence”