Robben Island prison that held Nelson Mandela in spotlight as Sou

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Robben Island prison that held Nelson Mandela

The Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years is in the spotlight as the South African leader turns 90.

Nelson Mandela, pictured in 1961 at age 42, was a political activist and heavyweight boxer with a law degree from the University of Witwatersrand. In 1964 Mandela, then leader of the African National Congress, was convicted of sabotage and treason and sentenced to life in prison.

The entrance to the Robben Island prison where Mandela was incarcerated. The facility has been turned into a museum and world heritage site that gives tours of Mandela's former cell. But tourism is down and the museum has financial problems, including a $3.2 million deficit.

Cell No. 7 where Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years.

A close up view of the lock on Mandela's cell.

Tourists travel by boat to Robben Island. But heavy winds and rough waters prevented ferries from sailing for 65 days last year, resulting in a drop in tourism.

Tourists listen as a guide talks about Mandela's life in prison.

A visitor takes video footage of the area were Mandela broke rocks with other inmates on prison work duty.

A tortoise belonging to Frikkie Nel, a former prison nurse who now runs a Robben Island clinic, walks past his house. The biggest threat to his safety isn't a fast car, but a wild rabbit. The island is overrun with thousands of the furry animals.

Two children look for firewood in front of their house on Robben Island. The isolated island used to have a population of 2,000, excluding prisoners. Now less than 200 people live there.

Mandela shown shortly after his release from prison in 1990.

Mandela today. The former South African president turns 90 on July 18th.

Vuyelwa Nde holds a copy of a stamp bearing a portrait of Mandela released to commemorate his birthday.

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Nelson Mandela, pictured in 1961 at age 42, was a political activist and heavyweight boxer with a law degree from the University of Witwatersrand. In 1964 Mandela, then leader of the African National Congress, was convicted of sabotage and treason and sentenced to life in prison.

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