- Robben
Island’s desalination plant was fully upgraded, ensuring an uninterrupted
water supply since November 2023. - Deputy
Minister Sihle Zikalala visited the island to assess restoration projects
focused on preserving the UNESCO World Heritage Site and improving
infrastructure. - Significant
investments, including R7 million for maintenance, are planned for further
upgrades, such as enhancing prison golf courses and organizing a reunion
for ex-political prisoners.
Water challenges experienced on Robben Island have been resolved as its desalination plant has been fully upgraded.
It was one of several restoration projects pointed out to Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala on his visit to the island on Thursday (20 February).
He was accompanied by senior officials from various departments to monitor progress being made to revitalise, repair and perform upgrades to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The project to improve the iconic island was spearheaded by his department in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture.
In 2023, Zikalala visited the site in response to concerns raised about deteriorating buildings, cemeteries, gardens, recreational facilities, waste management services, and the blue stone quarry, which placed the island at risk of losing its heritage status.
At the time he was also informed that residents relied on water from the mainland in Cape Town for consumption and made use of bore holes, as the desalination plant on the island was broken.
READ: Much-needed refurbishment and maintenance at Robben Island could cost more than R250 million
On Thursday Zikalala said he was satisfied with the progress made.
Thami Mchunu, Director of Media and Stakeholder Relations in the department, said the island had uninterrupted water supply since November last year.
He said it was also established that the current desalination plant should be replaced, as it had reached its useful lifespan.
According to Mchunu, an estimated R7 million has been spent on maintenance since May last year.
Between November last year and January this year the island saw an estimated 86 622 visitors.
During his visit Zikalala met with the leadership of the Ex-Political Prisoners Association, who shared their vision of the bigger capital projects they wanted to undertake.
These include major upgrades of the seven prison golf courses as well as their desire to be assisted in organising the reunion of all remaining ex-political prisoners.
“The department will continue the upgrades at the scope and scale assigned by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture as our client department to ensure that the Robben Island Museum is sustained as the beacon of history and the rich South African heritage for future generations,” Zikalala concluded.
