The Google Cultural Institute has a history of documenting many physical icons. It is proposing to digitalize former South African President Nelson Mandela’s 27-year-long imprisonment.
Mandela was earlier imprisoned on Robben Island, near Cape Town. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has roped in the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and the Robben Island Museum. The objective is to have an online tour, which realistically portrays the life on the island for Mandela.
Tourist attraction
Robben Island is currently a UNESCO heritage site drawing visitors from all across the globe. The Google Cultural Institute collection had a new addition today with a new exhibit showcasing South Africa’s Robben Island. The new exhibit comprises of 7 interactive exhibits. These include the trial that led to Mandela’s imprisonment. Also are comments from a host of political prisoners imprisoned there, a jail tour, and more.
Today, Google Street View kicked off the most exhaustive online tour of Robben Island so far. The Robben Island Prison Tour is explained by previous political prisoner Vusumsi Mcongo, acting as a virtual guide.
Earlier the island was a hospital as well as leper colony. Mapping the island was no easy task. It is hoped that the tour could help people learn about this significant history part. Many people lack the resources to visit physically this place. This where this online tour comes in the picture. Mandela’s life is a lesson for all humankind. Justifiably there is considerable curiosity about him. The tour does address some significant aspects of his life as well as a struggle.
Exclusive peek into history
Also shown are the craggy limestone quarries where convicts labored, and Mandela’s eyes were damaged by light and dust. There are photos of Mandela’s Spartan quarters too. Viewers get shots of the cells, guard towers and in-depth knowledge about the island’s past. The images include the courtyard where Mandela gardened a small plot and began penning his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.
