Ex-political prisoners working as tour guides at Robben Island Museum have joined a strike there, as they feel that the island has imprisoned them twice: once literally and now, figuratively by keeping them out of management positions and refusing to meet workers’ demands.
Sipho Msomi and Mncedisi Siswana were among ex-prisoners at the negotiations that paved the way for the establishment of the Robben Island Museum in 1995.
“A group of us, ex-prisoners, recommended that the island should be turned into a museum,” said Msomi, speaking on behalf of the striking former prisoners. “And now we are not playing meaningful roles.”
They said they wanted a voice in the management and development of museum programmes, “so that the museum does not rely so heavily on corporate values”, said Msomi.
They argued that the museum was not using their experience as ex-political prisoners. “We are just a marketing strategy. (The) management does not take into account we are walking and talking artifacts of the museum,” Msomi said.
Museum senior marketing manager Shoni Khangala disputed the ex-prisoners were just a marketing tool. “Our office appreciates that visitors get to hear stories from the horse’s mouth.”
The workers are demanding a R2 500 pay increase. Tour guides receive R8 000 monthly.
Museum CEO Sibongiseni Mkhize said that after the management met the strikers yesterday both parties agreed to renegotiate.
Meanwhile, Argentine NGO Rugby Sin Fronteras (Rugby without barriers) is scheduled to play a rugby match on the island today to honour Nelson Mandela. - Cape Times