Robben Island coastal defence 1931-1960

Abstract

Robben Island is generally perceived as a symbolic and a literal dumping ground o f all those the ruling powers o f the country had deemed unwanted, be they rebels, lepers, the insane or political opponents. As such the Island has been described as the “dustbin o f South African society”, i Ironically, it was these very “unwanted” who became undermining symbols o f the systems that banished them to the Island, and subjected them to severe isolation, and gross human rights violations. I started this Research Report with the assumption that I was going to write a history o f a period o f the Island’s existence that was fundamentally different from preceding and succeeding ones. A period characterized by co-operation as opposed to isolation, by voluntary service in the interest o f South Africa as a whole, as opposed to banishment, and o f positi ve life experiences as opposed to gross human rights violations. During my research, I became convinced that this assumption had been false. That there were many profound continuities with the periods o f the Island’s history that preceded and succeeded the 30 years under discussion (1931 - 1960). More fundamentally, I became aware that there were many men and women, who had served on Robben Island, and whom had been willing to give their lives in defence o f this country, that had not been given the recognition they deserved. These men and women had contested racist and sexist myths, and were an important element in the transformation o f South African Defence Force Policies, Implicit in this Research Report is a tribute to them, I pay tribute to the men o f the Cape Corps, and to the women o f both the South African Women’s Naval Service, and the Artillery Specialists o f the Women’s Auxiliary Army Service. Without the help, information, and hospitality extended to me by numerous people, this Research Report could not have been written. I wish to thank them all, There are also persons I believe need special mention; Prof Andre Odendaal, for pointing me in the right direction in the first place, and the Odendaal family for their hospitality in letting me stay on the Island with them. The two staff members on Robben Island, who spent hours driving me around the Island, climbing into underground plotting rooms, and onto gun emplacements, throughout the expedition, “protecting” me from countless “harmless” snakes and spiders. Com Vv'.M Bisset for valuable advice and biographical aid, Maj A.G.D Gordon foi houra X patient explanation regarding the coastal guns, and interpretation o f relevant the Editor o f Moth Homefront Magazine for free publication o f a. notice to which many persons responded, Peter James Smith for copies o f his programs on SAFM, for valuable advice, and for putting me in contact with several ex-Robben Islanders, The personnel o f the Johannesburg Military Museum, who were extremely helpful, and who speH many days going through various files, publications and records with me. The foHowing ex-Robben Islanders and their families, for their time, the valuable information, the m?ny letters, the many phone calls, their hospitality, interesting photos, autobiographies, diaii?s, and for sharing their life experiences with me: Captain George Anderson, Mrs IBester. Mr A Calder, Mr W.A and Mrs De Swardt, Vice-Admiral Edwards, Mrs F.M King, Mr H.J Linford, General Magnus Malan, Mr Malan (husband o f the iate Cynthia Malan), Mrv, L Marinaid, Major General G.D and Mrs Moodie, Mrs E Parrott, Miss M Orton, Mrs M.P Shinn, Mr D.F Silberbauer (son of Lt Col H.L Silberbauer), Mrs D Smith, Mrs M.E Stewart, Mr C.H Von Weilligh, and Miss L Schenck (daughter o f Miss E Wood)