Robben Island to host G20 delegations, tours suspended for renovations
A complete shut-down of Robben Island for maintenance and upgrade from 16 June to the end of August 2025 was announced at a media briefing hosted by the Robben Island Museum (RIM) Council.
Robben Island, a cornerstone of South Africa's historical and cultural identity, is about to step into the global spotlight as the nation gears up to host the G20 summit later this year.
As part of the preparations to welcome dignitaries from around the globe, the Robben Island Museum has announced a crucial decision: all public tours will be suspended from June 16, 2025, until September 1, 2025.
This temporary closure aims to facilitate essential maintenance and renovations necessary for the preservation of this iconic site.
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eNCA
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CAPE TOWN - Robben Island Museum has halted all public tours to carry out maintenance and renovations in preparation for the G20 Summit in November. The work is expected to preserve the site's historical significance and ensure safety for future visitors. Professor Saths Cooper, Chair of the Robben Island Museum Board, discussed these operational changes with eNCA.
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Robben Island to close for three months: Here's why
Robben Island, one of Cape Town's most popular tourist attractions, will be closed to the public from this month. According to reports, the museum on the iconic island will be undergoing maintenance and renovations in order to host dignitaries from around the world for the G20 Summit in November. The Cape Town museum announced their decision via a statement on 5 June, adding that it was a great honour to host delegations from around the world as South Africa becomes the first African country to host the G20 later this year. Robben Island Museum said that the decision to suspend tours was not taken lightly,' the museum said in a statement. 'Robben Island remains one of South Africa's most treasured national heritage sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. While this temporary closure may disrupt some plans, it prioritises safety, preservation, and long-term benefit.' the museum said in their statement. Tours on the world-famous Cape Town island will be suspended from 16 June until 1 September. 'We look forward to welcoming visitors back on 1 September 2025 with renewed purpose, enhancedfacilities, and an enriched visitor experience that reflects the significance of Robben Island as a global symbol of freedom and resilience.' the museum also added.
The South African
a day ago
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Iconic Cape Town attraction to CLOSE for almost three months
Robben Island Museum, one of the most iconic Cape Town attractions, will close for almost three months. Public tours will be cancelled from 16 June until 1 September. The iconic landmark is closing in order to undergo renovations. That's ahead of an expected visit by G20 leaders later this year. Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of South Africa's most important landmarks. It is best known as the site where anti-Apartheid leaders like Nelson Mandela were imprisoned for their activism. In a statement, Robben Island Museum described the upcoming visit by G20 leaders as an 'honour' as South Africa is the first country on the continent to host the summit. It continued: 'Hosting G20 dignitaries at Robben Island is deeply symbolic, allowing the world to witness the legacy of those who sacrificed everything for freedom and the country that rose in their honour.' The museum noted that the closure would allow the Cape Town attraction to 'perform necessary maintenance and renovations' that it had identified and presented to the G20 Planning Committee. The statement continued: 'The decision to suspend tours was not taken lightly. Robben Island remains one of South Africa's most treasured national heritage sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. While this temporary closure may disrupt some plans, it prioritises safety, preservation, and long-term benefit.' Visitors who have tickets for this period will be refunded in full. To learn about Robben Island, tourists can view an exhibit at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
