The First Prisoners of Robben Island

Robben Island is one of the most renowned islands in the world.

But do you know who the first prisoners of this island were?

It was Harry the Strandloper (“Beach Comber”) and his tribe. He was the chief of a KhoiKhoi tribe called the Goringhaicona, who were an outcast group that lived in Table Bay and were despised by other KhoiKhoi groups for their scavenging. Even Harry was a cunning man and quickly amassed herds of cattle and sheep.

Harry was picked up by an English ship for a joy ride to Batavia. During the trip he learnt the English language and when he returned to the Cape became the postmaster for the passing ships. Sailors would drop off letters which he would then pass on to other ships.

When Jan Van Riebeeck came to the Cape in 1652, Harry moved back to the mainland to help establish trade between the KhoiKhoi and the Dutch. Because he could speak English, he was made an interpreter.

The KhoiKhoi would trade livestock with the Dutch in exchange for tobacco and alcohol. One day the Dutch swindled them in a deal and in revenge Harry and a few other KhoiKhoi men stole from the Dutch. As punishment, Van Riebeek banished them to Robben Island, making them the first prisoners on Robben Island. After more than a year on the island Harry managed to escape back to the mainland in a leaking boat, and after more dust had settled he was accepted back for his job as interpreter.

Engela