University of Robben Island

Programme

Throughout all four days, the University of Robben Island operates as a fully activated, distributed campus. Programming unfolds simultaneously across heritage sites, creating a living, moving O-Week experience.

Core Campus Nodes

University of the Western Cape Robben Island Museum – Nelson Mandela Gateway Robben Island Museum – Jetty 1 Robben Island Iziko Museums – Slave Lodge, The Company Gardens, Planetarium & Digital Dome

Programme Year

Thursday, 29 October 2026

You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town

Orientation. Memory. Arrival.

Sessions

O-Week Rhythm: Day One establishes intellectual grounding and ceremonial entry. Participants are inducted through archive, dialogue, performance, and shared historical memory.

Time UWC – Mayibuye Centre & Library Auditorium RIM – Nelson Mandela Gateway Jetty 1 Robben Island Slave Lodge Planetarium & Digital Dome The Company Gardens
09:00–10:00 National Liberation & Mayibuye Archives Orientation Bookselling, Exhibition, Continuous Screening
10:00–11:00 Opening Convocation – University of Robben Island Bookselling, Exhibition, Screening
11:00–12:30 Intergenerational Dialogue Bookselling, Exhibition, Screening
12:30–14:00 Musical & Poetry Performance Bookselling, Exhibition, Screening
18:00–19:00 Guided Walk: Gateway to Jetty 1 Jetty Plenary
19:00–21:00 Opening Night: Musical & Theatre Performances + Film

Friday, 30 October 2026

I've Come to Take You Home

Return. Pilgrimage. Intellectual Occupation of the Island.

Sessions

O-Week Rhythm: Day Two transforms Robben Island into an active intellectual campus. Programming unfolds simultaneously through debate, creative production, archival research, and reflective night dialogues.

Time UWC – Mayibuye Centre & Library Auditorium RIM – Nelson Mandela Gateway Jetty 1 Robben Island Slave Lodge Planetarium & Digital Dome The Company Gardens
08:30–09:30 Departure Processional, Poetry Activation Boarding Arrival Preparation Public Art, Bookselling
09:30–11:00 Filming: The Ultimate Book Show (Live) Jetty Plenary Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
11:00–12:30 Screening: One Humanity + Filming Continuation Jetty Plenary Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
14:00–15:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
15:30–16:30 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment University Night Cap Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
17:00–18:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment Jetty Plenary University Night Cap Public Art, Bookselling
19:00–21:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment University Night Cap

Saturday, 31 October 2026

Bury Me at the Market Place

Public Scholarship. Global Exchange. Civic Reckoning.

Sessions

O-Week Rhythm: Day Three positions the University of Robben Island as a site of international exchange and public scholarship. Screenings, debates, labs, and workshops create a living academic marketplace.

Time UWC – Mayibuye Centre & Library Auditorium RIM – Nelson Mandela Gateway Jetty 1 Robben Island Slave Lodge Planetarium & Digital Dome The Company Gardens
08:30–09:30 Departure Processional + Screening: Day of the Imprisoned Writer Ferry Boarding Fire & Ink Workshops Public Art, Bookselling
09:30–11:00 Filming: The Ultimate Book Show (Live) Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
11:00–12:30 Screening: James Matthews Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
14:00–15:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment Fire & Ink Workshops Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
15:30–16:30 Screening Room Activation: Es'kia Mphahlele University Night Cap Archival Lab Series – Guided Tour Public Art, Bookselling
17:00–18:00 Screening Jetty Plenary University Night Cap Public Art, Bookselling
19:00–21:00 Screening: Mamphela Ramphele University Night Cap

Sunday, 1 November 2026

Farewell to Innocence

Repair. Future Ethics. Manifesto.

Sessions

O-Week Rhythm: Day Four moves from environmental stewardship and youth leadership to artistic production and institutional imagination, culminating in a Manifesto Signing.

Time UWC – Mayibuye Centre & Library Auditorium RIM – Nelson Mandela Gateway Jetty 1 Robben Island Slave Lodge Planetarium & Digital Dome The Company Gardens
09:00–11:00 Youth Dialogue (Hybrid) Jetty Plenary UNESCO Coastal Clean-Up Public Art, Bookselling
11:30–13:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment Jetty Plenary UNESCO Coastal Clean-Up Public Art, Bookselling
13:30–15:00 Continuous Exhibition & Screening Environment Public Art, Bookselling
15:30–17:30 Amphitheatre Concert Public Art, Bookselling
17:30–18:00 Amphitheatre Concert Public Art, Bookselling