Nelson Mandela symbolically chips away at a rock in the limestone quarry on Robben Island

Nelson Mandela symbolically chips away at a rock in the limestone quarry on Robben Island during a reunion of political prisoners, who had convened to discuss the future of the island. He did . forced labour here for thirteen years of his imprisonment. As a result of the bright glare from the white rocks and the alkalinity of the limestone dust, Mandela suffered lasting damage to his eyes.