chapter 7 · 2016. 2. 23. · chapter 7 conserv ation policies and principles / stra tegies 66...

CHAPTER 7CONSERVATION POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES / STRATEGIES

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INTRODUCTION

RIWHS has important memory places that include the builtfabric, routes and paths, gardens, views and vistas. It haswithin it many and varied layers of history that are at timescontested. Furthermore it is an island of many voices,including the disadvantaged, the oppressed, the sick, theprivileged few, the religious, the imprisoned and the free,among others. Its conservation therefore possesses uniquechallenges. The present chapter provides strategies foraddressing this.

CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES

Four main conservation principles underlie the approachto conservation management of RIWHS:

• There is an evolving understanding of Robben Island’smeaning and value which has both tangible andintangible manifestations in cultural and naturalcontexts;

• Robben Island’s heritage value is both local anduniversal;

• Robben Island’s heritage value is related to currentsocial debates about, for example, stigma, humanrights, reconciliation and healing;

• Robben Island Museum is committed to a conservation-based approach to development and to a transparentuse-based, policy-based and process-drivenmanagement that seeks to balance the Island’stangible and intangible heritage resources.

Robben Island’s conservation approach takes guidancefrom, among others the Burra Charter of 1999, but it alsoplaces special emphasis on the intangible qualities of theIsland, for example, symbolism, oral memories and placequality. The conservation policy seeks to protect both thetangible and intangible significance of the Island. However,due to the Island’s complex and layered history, theintangible significance of the place is difficult to protect.Therefore there is a need to limit interventions and changesto the Island’s cultural and natural fabric. This will beachieved through the implementation of Interpretation andVisitor Management Plans (see Addenda 4 and 5), whichwill protect and enhance the intangible values associatedwith the site. The following principles set out in the ICMPdefine the approach to conservation in general and influenceconservation decision-making.

Principle 1: Minimal interventionConservation is based on respect of the existing fabric andshould involve the least possible physical intervention. Theprinciple is that it is better to preserve the existing fabricthan to restore it, better to restore than to reconstruct, andbetter to reconstruct than to adapt. However, there is alsoan understanding that certain development and sustaineduse will be necessary. A preventive approach toconservation is better than a reactive one. Any interventionmust not be motivated by conjecture, but must rather bebased on evidence and thorough research and analysis.Intervention is thus limited to ‘as little as possible and asmuch as is necessary’.1

Wherever possible, interventions and methods ofinterpretation should be reversible. Ignorance of significancedoes not justify removal of fabric. Removal of fabric canonly be justified if such removal reveals more significantfabric, or extensive research shows that what was removedis of little significance. New work should follow the legalrequirements established by the relevant legislation, andHeritage Impact Assessments must be carried out withevery intervention.

Principle 2: Authenticity / IntegrityRobben Island is a site of rich tangible and intangibleheritage and the definition of authenticity here is based onthat given by the Nara document. Authentic fabric andmeaning associated with the site is that which is consideredto be original and true in relation to the significance of thesite. This comprises all the layers of accumulated memoryand fabric on the Island up to the point at which it becamea museum and heritage site in 1997. Research andinterpretation of the site must rest on a full understandingand evaluation of what happened on the site and whatmakes it significant. This includes immovable and movablehistorical fabric, its place quality, individual and collectivememories, and symbolic associations.

Principle 3: Contribution of all periodsThe contribution of all periods is respected. The Islandincludes the fabric of different periods. This means thatrevealing the fabric of one period at the expense of anothercan only be justified when what is removed is of less culturalsignificance, and the fabric which is to be revealed is ofgreater cultural significance. Levels of significance relateto how early, intact, representative, or rare the relevantfabric might be, and how it relates to the Statement ofSignificance. Judgements are often subjective and themultiplicity of meanings should be acknowledged.

Principle 4: Consideration of all aspects of culturaland natural significanceConservation should take into consideration all aspects ofcultural and natural significance. Symbolic and historicalsignificance are particularly important, as is the quality ofthe place. The concern for traditional consideration ofaesthetic beauty should not override these values.

Principle 5: An appropriate visual settingConservation requires the maintenance of all existing andculturally significant visual settings, for example, form,scale, mass, the fine and broad grain of buildings and openspaces, colour, texture and material. Construction,

EPPs assisting to date the authentic fabric in the MSP

demolition, modification or environmental intrusions shouldnot adversely affect the setting and qualities of the site.

Principle 6: Oral histories, intangibles and memoryIntangible significance is strongly linked to symbolic values.Conservation of intangible significance requires the use oforal histories and personal recollections to inform ourunderstanding of the Island as a whole and to interpretand conserve the physical elements that relate to thesememories. Conservation practice and policy should beinformed by researching and presenting routines, everydaypractices, and the sounds and smells associated with thephysical fabric of the Island.

Principle 7: Determining compatible useCompatible uses are those uses that involve either nochange to the culturally significant fabric, or changes thatare substantially reversible, or changes that have a minimalimpact. Determination of compatible use should take intoaccount the significance of the site (from the Statement ofSignificance and Site Register), historical use of the site,the mandate of the Museum, and the strategic directionsapproved by its Council. The major factors in decidingwhether the new use is compatible with the conservationof the site or not, include the extent and reversibility ofchanges required by a proposed new use for a site or aproposed new structure, and their impact on the significanceof the site.

Principle 8: New constructionA policy will be drafted listing factors to consider whenassessing the impact of new structures on the site, andthe processes by which decisions on new structures shouldbe made. This process will be congruent with the decision-making process outlined below.

Principle 9: Interiors, wall coverings, fitting andfurnishingsThose interiors, wall coverings, fittings and furnishings thatwere present on the Island in 1997 constitute original fabricand cannot be altered or removed without permission fromthe RIM Management Committee (MANCO). All theprovisions of minimal intervention and other policiesregarding fabric apply to these elements. A specific policywill be developed to guide decisions on these elements inthe future.

Principle 10: DocumentationA full inventory and documentation of all heritage resourceson the Island needs to be created. Prior to any interventionon the heritage resource a work plan must be preparedwhich clearly defines the following: the resources and theircontext; the objectives and extent of the document andrecommended levels of documentation; the technologiesavailable or that will be required; the time frame; and therequirements for the organisation and execution of theproject. All changes to the project, including the landscape,will not use the presence of documentation as a justificationfor the alteration or the removal of significant fabric.

Principle 11: InterpretationRobben Island will use the interpretation of RIWHS as ameans of conserving the tangible and intangible valuesassociated with the site, and as a way of developingappropriate products, programming and marketingstrategies, based on these products and programmes, toensure sustainable use of the site. Education programmeswill use the site as a teaching resource on democracy andhuman rights issues.

Principle 12: Public participationRobben Island will continue to engage in dialogue with allstakeholders, including ex-political prisoners and theirfamilies, on appropriate management approaches.

CONSERVATION OFTHE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Robben Island has an immense amount of built heritagethat requires large amounts of resources to maintain. Duringthe Prison Services era these resources, in terms of labour,was provided by the prisoners. However after the PrisonServices left, the heritage could only be maintained throughcapital intensive activities.

After the release of political prisoners in 1991 little or noinvestment was made towards the development of theIsland’s infrastructure, for example, the provision of power,potable water, tarred roads and sewerage. All of this wasof a limited nature and so it was necessary for RIM tonegotiate for a major investment in the infrastructure of theIsland for its new purpose as a museum and heritage site.This investment in the form of upgrade of roads, powersupply, provision of potable water, and a sewerage system,began in 1999. Since then major investment in infrastructureand refurbishments of buildings has taken place on RobbenIsland.

It is important to note that the site maintenance andprotection takes two main forms:

• Capital works projects: These refer to the rehabilitationof infrastructure, buildings and structures on RobbenIsland. The implementation of these projects isfacilitated by DPW through the appointment ofindependent contractors.

• General maintenance: This refers to the daily routineand activities related to the upkeep of the site by DPWand the RIM Estates and Services Department.


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EPPs that quarried the Bluestone Quarry record their memories of theireveryday working life in the MSP period

In the light of the harsh environmental conditions that thebuilt fabric is exposed to on Robben Island, it is essentialthat the built environment is rehabilitated and conservedin order to maintain the significance of the site. To meetthis demand RIM, together with DPW has beenimplementing programmes to rehabilitate the built fabricon the Island. Buildings and sites that have beenrehabilitated include, the Church of the Good Shepherd,Garrison Church, Medium Security Prison, LogisticsComplex, and the harbour and harbour wall.

The ICMP identifies the Political Imprisonment Landscapeas a priority for 2007 to 2012. The identification of thisparticular landscape was done through a rigorous exerciseof grading and prioritising the different landscapes on thesite. Elements reflective of the other landscapes will beplaced on a maintenance programme to ensure that allother heritage not part of priority 1 continues to bemaintained.

The following is already planned:

• The MSP, Sobukwe Complex, Administration Complex,the parking area at the harbour, and the road leadingto the Limestone Quarry are earmarked forrehabilitation within the next two years. Permits forthese works have already been obtained and work isto be initiated in 2007.

• The Bluestone and Limestone Quarries, theirrespective pathways, and identified buildings in theVillage area, are earmarked for permit applicationsand rehabilitation work later in 2007.

• Buildings and sites that represent other layers will besubjected to maintenance programmes, as notedabove, to ensure their continued contribution to thesignificance of Robben Island.

The South Africangovernment, through DAC,has provided the WHS withfunds for major works likethe ones mentioned abovethat have gone a long wayin improving not only thecondition of the site but alsoaccess and anchorage forthe RIM ferries. Some of the capital works investmentshave facilitated the improvement of the visitor experienceand access (floating jetty) and meeting the objective oflifelong learning (Medium B Security Prison), among others.

The capital works projects were initiated to address bothconservation challenges as well as interpretation and visitormanagement. Thus some parts of the site have been subjectto deliberation because they required conservationintervention, while in the other parts, such as the MSP andSobukwe Complex, there was a need for a new visitorexperience through restoration and development of newexhibitions. Another reason for identifying capital worksprojects as a priority was the need to meet the nationalobjective of the creation of employment. The last objectivealso meets the World Heritage committee’s objective ofmaking World Heritage Sites become centres of growth forlocal communities.

For more detailed information refer to Addendum 2.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2

Management of the Terrestrial, Coastal and MarineEcosystems

Robben Island has a unique and active environment thathas undergone changes over the years due to humanintervention. The landscape that visitors see today is onethat reflects the impact of humans on the Island since thefirst historical records of the Island. The introduction ofvarious fauna such as deer, ostrich and rabbits over theyears, as well as the introduction of alien vegetation whichconstitutes much of the present landscape, has vastlyaltered the experience of the Island from that of the earlytraveller. This landscape is an integral part of the changingaspect of the Island, and is regarded as significant to thehistory and development of the site.

RIM will pursue the objective of maintaining the historicaland cultural character of the Island, while restoring andenhancing the naturally occurring biodiversity so that theIsland ecosystem can be maintained. RIM will strive toretain as much as possible of the human-altered landscapethat reflects elements of different historical and culturalperiods. Management decisions and actions will aim atminimising the cost of maintaining natural environmentsin the medium- to long-term; in particular, the followingcomponents:

• Indigenous and alien vegetation;• Indigenous (not necessarily to the Island) and alien

vertebrates;• Feral animal control and eradication;• Marine and coastal environment;• Bees.

Management of Sea Birds

The Island is a home to sea birds that now form part of therich heritage of this unique WHS. They are part of thelandscape and play their role in the complete understandingof the micro-environment of Robben Island as well asdemonstrate the role of the Island as a breeding spaceand colony of various bird species. The management ofsea birds is administered in terms of the Sea Birds and


Limestone Quarry

Bluestone Quarry68

Seals Protection Act 46 of 1973, and in terms of policywhich is in agreement with the aims of internationalconventions to which South Africa is a signatory.

Eight species of sea bird (sensu stricto) currently breed onRobben Island, and six of these are endemic to southernAfrica. In terms of criteria that include the presence ofendemic and rare and threatened species, Robben Islandis an Important Bird Area (IBA). Bird species for whichRobben Island is of global importance are the AfricanPenguin, Bank Cormorant, Crowned Cormorant, Hartlaub’sGull, Swift Tern and African Black Oystercatcher, all ofwhich need to be most intensely monitored.

The situation is as follows on Robben Island:

• Currently, the African Penguin colony is the secondlargest for the species, which is classified as vulnerable;

• For many years the colony of Hartlaub’s Gull hasremained the largest for the species, which is thetenth most rare of approximately fifty species of gullin the world;

• Similarly, for many years the Island has supportedthe largest colonies of Crowned Cormorant and thesouthern African type of Swift Tern;

• In 2000, the colony of Bank Cormorants was one ofonly three in South Africa to number more than onehundred pairs; it is also listed as vulnerable;

• About 2 per cent of the world population of AfricanBlack Oystercatcher breeds at Robben Island;

• In addition, the Island shoreline is visited by a largenumbers of migrant birds each summer;

• The Island also has a variety of terrestrial birds;• During 2005 the number of bird species recorded on

Robben Island reached 148.

The sea bird colonies at Robben Island should be managedand seen as contributing to the overall species’ populationsin southern Africa, and not in isolation. There is a need toretain stands of exotic vegetation to provide habitat for seabirds of conservation concern. It will be necessary to removeferal cats that damage some sea bird breeding coloniesand this process is already underway. The removal of theStruthio camelus Ostrich is also desirable on grounds ofsafety as they are likely to be a hazard to visitors on foot,and their removal will further facilitate research on birdspecies of conservation importance. The population of theintroduced House Rat will be controlled, as it has potentialto impair breeding by sea birds.

MANAGEMENT OFARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Robben Island has a rich recorded history going backcenturies and even millennia. In presenting the completestory of Robben Island it is necessary to identify all sitesof potential archaeological interest. Specialist investigationson selected sites are being conducted to uncover layersof the past and to provide information, both as an educationresource and for scientific research and advancement.

A Conservation Management Plan will be developed foreach site before any excavations occur. This is howevera long-term programme that is not among those prioritised,as the sites face no danger at present or in the foreseeablefuture. In case of any developments however, preventivearchaeological work will be carried out together withappropriate impact assessments.

Terrestrial Archaeology

Three pre-colonial archaeological sites have been foundon Robben Island, two containing stone tools and the thirdcontaining fossilised mammal bones. The former are veryephemeral stone artefact scatters, consisting of quartzirregular cores and flakes. The sites with stone tools areclose to each other, situated in an area west of the MaximumSecurity Prison (MSP). The third site, containing fossilisedmammal bones of Eland and the now extinct Rhebok, isbelow ground level adjacent to the waste managementplant in the northeastern area of the Island.

Underwater Cultural Heritage (MaritimeArchaeology) Assessment and Management 3

The Island has an inhospitable coastline that has posedmany serious dangers to sailors with many ships runningaground during the very long period of its association withsailing vessels. Research indicates that there are 68 shipsthat have foundered on the rocky shores or have sunk offthe inhospitable coastline of the Island. These wrecks areprotected in terms of the NHRA and access to them isrestricted by both SAHRA and RIM.

A survey of these wrecks was carried out in a joint operationbetween the National Monuments Council (NMC) and theSouth African Navy in 1992, code-named ‘Operation SeaEagle’, and the findings documented. The MaritimeArchaeology Unit of SAHRA has carried out furtherinvestigations as recently as 2005 and there is alsodocumentation of this.4

SAHRA considers the wrecks around the coastline ofRobben Island to be worthy of conservation. To dateSAHRA has rejected permit applications for exploration onthe grounds that the long-term historical value of the wreckresource outweighs the short-term commercial gain thatmight be achieved through the recovery of scrap iron andother metals from the more modern wrecks, and therecovery of objects of curiosity from the older wrecks.Another concern is the presence of unsupervisedrecreational divers who are capable of removing objectsfrom the wrecks.


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An African Black Oystercatcher chick

The wrecks around Robben Island offer an opportunity toexpand maritime archaeological knowledge, as well asgeneral archaeological knowledge in southern Africa.Artefacts, such as ceramics from the wrecks, have assistedin dating archaeological sites on the mainland. The personalbelongings retrieved from the older ships can reveal thepersonalities and activities of individuals who helped shapesouthern African history.

It is recognised that the wrecks around Robben Island:

• Are an integral part of the history of the Island and ofSouth Africa’s cultural heritage;

• Are a non-renewable and limited resource and arenot available for commercial exploitation;

• Have historical, cultural, scientific, recreational andeducational value that varies from site to site;

• Have already been disturbed by legal and illegalsalvors, although they have been relatively wellprotected by virtue of being in a security area;

• Include wrecks that are sufficiently intact to warrantbeing used for recreational visits under controlledconditions;

• Would be enhanced in value if retained in situ;• Could be maintained as a maritime archaeological

reserve if proper controls are implemented.5

To this end the management and interpretation of theunderwater cultural heritage of the WHS will be furtherdeveloped along the lines and recommendations containedwithin the SAHRA report. The policy to manage underwatercultural heritage will also incorporate certain archaeologicalprinciples and ethics. It will recognise the importance ofthe historical wrecks around the Island as a cultural heritageresource of national and international importance.

For these principles to gain recognition, RIM will strive tointegrate the Island’s maritime history with the more well-known political, social and cultural history. This integrationcan be accomplished by incorporating maritime displays,interpretative signage and shipwreck tours. The integrationof the Island’s maritime history into the mainstream storywill further encourage research into the wrecks and theland-based results of the shipwreck events. This is howevera long-term programme that has not been prioritised forthis phase of the ICMP.

FRAMEWORK FORCOLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT

The RIWHS with its rich history of colonisation,imprisonment, banishment, discrimination, spirituality andmilitary activities, has a rich and diversified collection thatconsists of both immovable and movable heritage. Themovable collection consists of artefacts directly related tothe Island space and material acquired related to theapartheid struggle. In addition the collected memories intapes, letters, and items associated with the memories,also form a rich part of the collection. This calls for thedevelopment of a framework to supplement the CollectionsManagement Policy already in place and currently underreview. This framework is intended to describe thebackground of the collections, the legislative and policyframework, the existing collection, appropriate structures,and future developments.

Background to the Collections

The RIWHS is custodian to a largearchive of artefacts, historicaldocuments, photographs, artworksand audio-visual materials depictingSouth African culture and chroniclingthe struggle for freedom and justicewith regard to apartheid. Thecollections include extensivehistorical material from the 1920sto the 1990s. These materials arehoused at the UWC-Robben IslandMuseum Mayibuye Archive.

RIM itself has a collection of site-based movable artefactsthat are found in various buildings on the Island, and atthe building known as Jetty 1 at the Victoria and AlfredWaterfront. Some artefacts are also on display at theNelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island on theWaterfront, Cape Town.

The initial Mayibuye materials were collected by theInternational Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) based in London.Following the unbanning of anti-apartheid organisationsand literature in 1990, the collection was relocated to SouthAfrica to form the initial deposit of the Mayibuye Archive.Other collections were added as people and organisationsbecame aware of this important historical resource.

The Mayibuye Archive was handed over to RIM in 2000after UWC and RIM entered into a 99 years’ loan agreement.It is managed by members of the Collections Unit of theMuseum’s Heritage Department. The agreement betweenUWC and RIM is subject to certain conditions as set outin the legal agreement signed between the two institutions.The Mayibuye Archive was also mandated to manage thesite-based Robben Island movable artefact collection.

The Collections Management Policy was established asa framework for the acquisition, disposal, documentation,


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One of the many wrecks around the Island

loan, care and use of the movable resources and collectionsof RIM in accordance with international standards ofmuseum and archival practice. The current CollectionsManagement Policy which is under revision, was drawnup in 2000 in compliance with the following Acts:

• World Heritage Convention Act 49 of 1999;• National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999;• Cultural Institutions Act 98 of 1978;• National Archives and Records Services Act 43 of

1996.

The following international conventions and laws guidedthe development of policy:

• UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibitingand Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transferof Ownership of Cultural Property, 1970;

• UNESCO’s recommendation concerning thesafeguarding and contemporary role of historic areas,1976;

• UNESCO’s recommendation for the protection ofmovable cultural property, 1978;

• Convention Concerning the Protection of the WorldCultural and Natural Heritage, 1972;

• Berne Convention, as amended and revised in 1979.

The Collections

For management purposes the material in the MayibuyeArchive is divided into five groups of collections accordingto media or format – oral history and sound, historicalpapers, photographic, film and video, and artefacts, art,posters and banners; in addition there are also RIMcollections.

Oral history and sound archiveThis archival collection includes recordings of manyinterviews with ex-political prisoners, former exiles andpolitical activists; radio broadcasts of Radio Freedom; andunique recordings of speeches and lectures. The collectionrequires proper management that includes the provisionof environmental controls.

Historical papers archiveKey collections in this archive include extensive recordsof political and labour organisations; the personal papersof important persons, including Archbishop Desmond Tutuand prison letters of Ahmed Kathrada; and many documentsin the Robben Island collection recording recreational andeducation activities of prisoners on the Island. These aredelicate collections that require both short and long-termmanagement strategies, including the provision of controlledenvironments.

Photographic archiveThe archive comprises approximately thirty thousandnegatives, seventy thousand prints and four thousandtransparencies, covering the period from the 1940s to the1980s. The subjects covered include: history of colonialism;history of apartheid; images of apartheid; liberationmovements; forced removals and resettlement; repression;political prisoners; trials; labour and trade unions; women;

culture; education; armed struggle; and biographies ofpolitical activists. Important collections within this archiveare the IDAF, Billy Paddock, and South and GrassrootsCollections. All this material, like the rest in the Archives,require special protection.

Films and video archiveThis archive is a unique resource of footage, consisting ofapproximately one thousand documentary productions,and six thousand recordings of unedited footage. It includesarchival footage on 8 and 16 mm film formats, and Umatic,Beta and VHS video formats. Important components ofthis archive include films and videos produced and collectedby IDAF and the Afravision collection of raw footage andfilms. Due to the nature of the collection and the prevailingclimatic conditions in the Cape, there is a need to put inplace proper environmental conditions for their upkeep. Allthese will be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Artefacts, art, posters and bannersThe artefact collection includes other historical memorabiliathat was used as forms of political protest during the anti-apartheid struggle. These include T-shirts, stickers, badges,jewellery, among other items. Ex-political prisoners fromRobben Island also donated some personal items used bythem during their imprisonment on the Island.

The art collection includes paintings, lithographs, etchingsand sculptures that were acquired by UWC and theMayibuye Archive over time. The art collection primarilyserves as a visual record of resistance to the apartheidsystem and thus all of the works precede 1994. Importantcomponents of the art collection include the UNESCOArtists Against Apartheid Exhibition; Albie Sach’sMozambique Collection of Art; the Transitions Series bythe community-based Visual Arts Group in Cape Town1992; the Abe Berry political cartoon collection; and acollection of banners and posters, produced both locallyand internationally, that tell the story of mass resistanceinside South Africa.

RIM historical artefactsThe historical artefact collection includes more than threethousand accessioned objects, which were left on theIsland by the prison authorities. It includes prison clothing,items manufactured in the prison workshop, workshoptools, prison registers, a music collection of LP records,sporting equipment and furniture, among other items. Theaccessioned paper-based material and music collectionhas been moved to the Mayibuye Archive for preservationreasons due to the harsh environmental conditions on theIsland.

Institutional archive collectionsApart from documenting the Museum’s history anddevelopment as a national and international heritage anda best practice conservation, the institutional archive alsoserves as a copyright holding for all material produced byRIM. It includes organisational records of each Museumdepartment; publicity and educational materials producedby RIM; proceedings of conferences organised by RIM;and copies of publications and productions commissionedto outside agencies by RIM.


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The Two Collections Managed bythe Education Department

Education collectionThe Education Department manages a small educationcollection, used primarily by the Department in its outreachprogrammes, and in most cases are of lesser archivalvalue. The collection includes replicas of original items andobjects, which are well represented in the permanentcollection, as well as materials which are in a presentableformat for external audiences, such as portable exhibitions.The Education Department also collects materials, forexample art, which have been generated during its SpringSchool and other programmes, and therefore it is a growingcollection.

The Spring School programme is one of the most importantRIM programmes that bring young people from differentparts of South Africa as well as Namibia to the Island tomix, share experiences and work with well-known artistsin a number of fields. It is one of the programmes thatempower the youth to use this WHS, and as such, formsone way of addressing the issue of universal access andliving heritage. These collections are managed by theEducation Department according to procedures andguidelines provided by the Collections Unit.

Resource centre collectionsThe core of the original collection of heritage and museumstudies material in the Resource Centre in the Medium B/ Multi-Purpose Learning Centre on the Island has grownto include: management; archaeology; South African politics;art; biographies; and easy readers in all of South Africa’slanguages. The Centre also houses a special collection ofbooks and pamphletsdonated by the veterananti-apartheid activists, Rayand Jack Simons. Thisco l l ec t i on covers asignificant period in SouthAfrican history, politics andthe labour movement, aswell as many other parts ofAfrica and the Soviet Bloc.

Collections Management Issues

Due to the nature of collections, they require attention anda professional approach to their handling. Collection is oneof the backbones of RIM and an information base needsto be given priority in the development of an ICMP. Thereare a number of collections management issues for theWHS that include but are not limited to the following:

• Revision of the Collections Management Policy;• The need for comprehensive inventories;• The need for improved storage facilities on Robben

Island;• The need for a new building at UWC constructed

specifically for the Mayibuye Archive;• An updated collections acquisitions policy;• Putting in place an appropriate management structure

for the Mayibuye Archive;• Review and implementation of the agreement between

RIM and UWC;• Transforming the Archives into a fully fledged unit;• Approval of the Disaster Management Plan.

Collections Disaster Management Plan

A draft Collections Disaster Management Plan has beenprepared and is awaiting consideration and approval bythe RIM Council. The Plan addresses safety and securityconcerns for all the collections located at the MayibuyeArchive, Robben Island and the Nelson Mandela Gatewayin case an emergency situation arises. The enabling nationallegislation is the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002.Aspects of this plan are already operational.

The proposed plan identifies and assesses potential risksand spells out various strategies to prevent disaster fromoccurring in the first place, and to enhance security of thecollections. The Plan contains a rescue strategy and alsodeals with recovery. Post-disaster planning deals withpossible reviews and improvement of disaster managementplanning arising from experience gained when a disasterhas occurred.

In summary, the Robben Island collection, comprising bothmovable and immovable objects, consists of, among others,artefacts directly related to the Island space and materialacquired related to the apartheid struggle. It is a rich andvaluable collection of intangible heritage of memory andpeoples’ experience that must be protected at all costs forthe benefit of South Africa and for humanity in general.

CONCLUSION

Among the key issues to be addressed that arise out ofthis chapter include a proper conservation managementprogramme to address all aspects of significant cultural,natural, and intangible heritage, including the site andassociated documentation and collections. The survival ofthe collections needs to be ensured through the provisionof adequate collection and storage facilities; and throughRIM continuing to play a role in knowledge-generationthrough collections and other resources.


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ENDNOTES

1 - This is a best practice approach adopted by RIM based on the‘Burra Charter: Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance:Conservation Principles’, Article 3, Australia ICOMOS, 1999.2 - Extract of Environmental Management Plan is attached asaddendum 3.3 - Extract from ‘Maritime Archaeological Assessment of RobbenIsland, Table Bay’ SAHRA in association with Wreckseekers.Undated.4 - For more on the vessels associated with Robben Island seeWerz, E. and Deacon, J., ‘Operation Sea Eagle: Final Report ona Survey of Shipwrecks Around Robben Island,’ 1992, SouthAfrican Heritage Resources Agency’s [in association withWreckseekers] report, ‘Maritime Archaeological Assessment ofRobben Island’, Table Bay, 2004, and Research Unit, HeritageResources and Conservation Management, ‘Research Report:Robben Island’s Vessels’, 2006.5 - Werz, E. and Deacon, J., ‘Operation Sea Eagle: Final Reporton a Survey of Shipwrecks around Robben Island,’ 1992, NationalMonuments Council.

Resource Centre

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