The Rescue of the Robben Island Fencing:

The journey of the Robben Island fencing began in 2009, when the island underwent major renovations in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As part of the upgrade, the historic prison fencing, weathered beyond repair, was removed and replaced.

This rusted fencing, which once surrounded the maximum-security prison that held Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Oliver Tambo, and other freedom fighters, was destined for a landfill. A remarkable part of its story is that Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and nothing can be removed without government permission. The fencing was officially removed, placed on a boat, and rescued on the mainland—marking the beginning of the Legacy Collection journey with Charmaine Taylor.

Seeing beauty in the broken past, Charmaine transforms this powerful material into artworks, chandeliers, and jewellery—honouring its journey from a symbol of imprisonment to one of hope, remembrance, and the enduring legacy of South Africa’s freedom fighters.

About Robben Island

Robben Island has been many things, but it is probably playing its most important role in history right now. Having been a prison for political prisoners during the Apartheid era, it now stands as a reminder of that time and the violation of human rights that characterised the Apartheid era.

From 1961, Robben Island became a maximum security prison, and it was there that Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for nearly 20 years, along with others such as Tokyo Sexwale, Jacob Zuma, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe.

In 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison and in 1994 he became the president of South Africa and one of the most respected leaders the world has ever seen.

Robben Island is now a museum and hosts approximately 1500 visitors every day. Visitors seldom miss the importance of this site as a reminder of the lessons we have learnt and the example that South Africa has set in moving peacefully into a democracy.