Cape town: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie is set to lead a significant reunion of former political prisoners from South Africa and Namibia as part of the country’s ongoing Heritage Month celebrations. The event, themed ‘Reuniting with Robben Island as the Stronghold that Fortified Our Resistance to Achieve Our Freedom,’ aims to serve as a moment of national reflection and healing.

According to South African Government News Agency, the reunion will honor the bravery and resilience of those who were imprisoned during the fight against apartheid. The ceremony will take place at the Robben Island Museum in the Western Cape and is scheduled for Saturday, 27 September 2025.

The event is organized in partnership with the Association for Ex-Political Prisoners (AEPP) and the Robben Island Museum (RIM). It is designed as a symbolic homecoming for many who endured incarceration on the island. As part of the ceremony, all ex-political prisoners who were held at Robben Island, including those from Namibia, will receive commemorative medals in recognition of their sacrifice.

Additionally, a Wall of Names honoring all former prisoners will be unveiled, and statues of iconic figures will be inaugurated. These statues will serve as enduring symbols of courage, ensuring that their legacy remains a permanent part of the nation’s collective memory.

The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture emphasized that the reunion highlights the significance of Robben Island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a monument of resilience and unity. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture launched Heritage Month 2025 under the theme ‘Reimagine our Heritage Institutions for a New Era,’ reflecting a shift towards innovation, inclusion, and community development within heritage institutions.