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Description
Africa Strong Cufflinks – Wear the Shape of Freedom
The Africa Strong Cufflinks are more than just accessories — they are a piece of living history. Shaped like the beloved outline of our continent, they symbolise the resilience, unity, and courage of the men and women who fought for South Africa’s freedom. Each pair is handcrafted from the original perimeter fence of Robben Island prison — the very fence that once held Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters.
Owning these cufflinks means carrying Africa’s story with you, wherever you go. They serve as a daily reminder of the right to vote, to live in a free and democratic society, and to stand proudly in your African identity. Every pair is a limited edition, individually numbered, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Locally made by skilled South African craftsmen, these cufflinks not only preserve heritage but also create jobs and instil pride in our community. A percentage of all profits is donated to South African charities that empower disadvantaged individuals and communities, ensuring the spirit of freedom lives on for future generations.
Other product features:- Crafted from the original perimeter fence of South Africa’s Robben Island prison.
- Every Legacy Collection creation is limited edition and comes with a unique serial number and a certificate of authenticity.
“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” ―
Design
Each Legacy Collection piece is thoughtfully designed as a wearable work of art, handcrafted from the original Robben Island fence. What once stood as a barrier of oppression has been transformed into a symbol of resilience, hope, and South Africa’s remarkable journey toward freedom. Meticulously made by local artisans in Cape Town, every design reflects one of our meaningful ranges—Peace, Rights, Justice, Liberty, Grace—each carrying a story that honours the nation’s path to democracy. Our commitment to ethical craftsmanship ensures that every piece not only preserves history, but also empowers previously disadvantaged individuals, helping to build a brighter future through creativity, skill, and opportunity.
Care Instructions
STORAGE FOR PLATED ITEMS
- Keep jewellery DRY.
- Store in a saleable container or bag if possible.
- Do not store gold and silver plated items together. The different metals will cause each other to tarnish, fade and / or turn colours.
- A rest room or bathroom is not an ideal place as the humidity thins the plating.
SUGGESTED CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
- Do not clean with chemicals.
- Any alcohol-based products can tarnish gold and silver plating irreparably.
- Wipe gently. Use a damp soft cloth or a children’s soft toothbrush.
- Soak in warm water for about 10 minutes with a mild detergent. Do NOT put in hot water.
- Use a mild dish washing liquid. If the dish washing liquid reacts on your hands, do not use on your jewellery.
- Rinse in plenty of water after brushing and ensure the detergent does not remain on the jewellery.
- Leave the jewellery to dry and then use a gold or silver care cloth to polish to its original shine.
Disclaimer
The jewelry you have purchased is partly made from a rusted metal material from Robben Island, which is coated and sealed completely to prevent further oxidation. The sealing of your jewelry is made with TarBender which is a clear liquid epoxy which provides a strong UV resistant high gloss coating. Each piece could vary in color shape and size due to the unique nature of the Robben Island Fence.
Other metals used are platinum, gold, sterling silver and plated gold. Gold and sterling silver are typically a safe metal for sensitive skin types. However some skin reactions may appear as green / dark / black marks on the skin around the area of contact. As well as redness, swelling and itching. Legacy Collection does not bear any responsibility for any discoloration or allergic reactions to the skin. Sterling silver by its nature does tarnish with time, but polishing the item will remedy this, especially a jewelry polishing cloth. Plating responds differently to various skin types owing to the varying acidity levels of each individual skin. Sweat, humidity and heat may also contribute to higher skin acidity levels. While some skin types may have no perceptible effect on the plating. Individuals with a higher acidity level could affect the plating wear rate. We cannot guarantee plating as it is purely a decorative effect and not a pure metal. We highly recommend purchasing pure metals rather than plated items.
Legacy Collection takes great care to make sure that all our jewelry has been thoroughly sealed and is a high quality plating.
However, in the event that the sealing breaks down and the metal is exposed, brown spots may appear. In this event, please contact us immediately, and we will reseal your artifacts for you.
JEWELRY IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE especially rings, necklace chains and bracelets can break / snap when pulled or hard pressure placed on the soft metals. Please do not bend the jewelry as the fence may break and / or crack open the Robben Island Fence resin coating. Please do not go to strenuous exercise, rock climb, swim in a pool or ocean, and do not pick up heavy objects / suitcases with your ring or bracelets on your arms.
Any sharp ends have been rounded off to prevent any cuts. However, we cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained by negligent including accidental breakages of jewelry.
The certificate of authenticity reflects the unique item number of the associated piece. This number is an element of our audit process, which in conjunction with RIACT, ensure the sales and use of the fence is tightly controlled. Legacy Collection designer Charmaine Taylor holds the world-wide rights to create jewelry out of the Robben Island prison fence.