Robert Sobukwe in Solitary Confinement

For three years, Sobukwe was "banished" to a remote farm. From 1963 to 1969 Robert Sobukwe was detained on the Island under the Sobukwe Clause which was especially written into the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950 as amended by the General Law Amendment Act of 1963.

The Sobukwe Clause empowered the Courts of South Africa to renew a prisoner's period of confinement on an annual basis. The court invoked this clause three times until 1969. At that time we was able to return home, but lived under house arrest for several more years until his death in 1977.

Robert Sobukwe was detained on the Island under the Sobukwe Clause in 1963. From 1963 to 1969 he was housed in the "Sobukwe Complex", a housing complex formerly used by coloured warders who were removed from the Island.

View of the two-roomed Robert Sobukwe House as seen from the front.

There was no running water in the house, but he was able to cook in the front room.

The ablution area with hot and cold water which had a shower was located in an adjacent building.

After Sobukwe left the Island, two long kennels were constructed to house the prison warders' guard dogs, The animals were trained as aggressive attack dogs for patrolling the prison fence perimeter and intimidating the inmates.

View of building T158 - the ablution area with a shower and toilet facilities.

View from inside the doorway of the house.

View of first room. Other personal papers including letters are displayed on the wall today.

On the back wall appears a photograph of Sobukwe ironing a shirt.

Sobukwe used the second room as a study and bedroom. He spent many hours writing letters and making detailed notes of his experiences.

Sobukwe's bed. On his nightstand is a small lamp, radio and portable clock.

The house was sparsely furnished. There was only a bed with a mattress made of coir fibers, a floor mat, a cupboard, small table, chair, and a bookcase. He was able to secure a radio during his detention, and permitted to wear civilian clothing.

Sobukwe lived in solitary confinement for six years on the island. While his family wrote many letters, his children were only permitted to visit him once - in 1967 - two years into his detention.

Although he was isolated from other prisoners, he managed to communicate through hand signals and gestures while exercising outdoors near the fences separating the complex from the rest of the prison.