Constitution Hill & Prison Site

We feel it is important to learn as much as we can about the culture and history of South Africa. We decided one Saturday to take the Red Bus tour of Johannesburg.  Riding on a double decker bus afforded us great views as we traveled throughout the city and learned about the many areas that make up Johannesburg.  At one point, we got off at Constitution Hill.  It is actually the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.  Located there is a museum that tells the story of South Africa's "journey to democracy." This particular location was the former site of both a prison and a fort in years past. Many men, women and even children were imprisoned here. It was quite an experience visiting here and learning about those who were willing sacrifice so much to fight for basic human rights.

This is the main entrance area to the former women's prison.  They were not allowed to walk across the middle of  the floor and they had to always stay behind  the ring of columns.

If you look carefully you can see some outlines on the floor.  Those were where the walls once were.  The rooms were about 4 feet wide by about 6 feet long. A room that size would house 4-6 women.  Marching in a protest, failing to carry identification cards or  being caught in area of town were they were not allowed to visit were all punishable crimes.

This was an isolation cell.  The windows were high up so you could not look out.  Inmates were usually only provided with one thin blanket.

The only shower was located in the courtyard where the women had to run out naked to take their shower and then run back to the building to dry off and dress.  There was no privacy.

This was the courtyard of the prison. To the right is the area where the infirmary was located. Only on Sundays were the inmates allowed to sit on the grass.

This is the men's side of the prison where both Ghandi and Nelson Mandela were imprisoned at various times.

This was the location of the men's latrines as well as their mess area where they had to eat.  When it was rainy, everything flowed down where they were squatted on the ground to eat.  They experienced such filthy conditions.

These are the hand carved doors going into their Constitutional Court.  The equivalent of our Supreme Court. The architectural design is full of symbolism. The building was designed with a theme called "lekgotia" which refers to the traditional African custom of "conducting justice beneath the branches of a tree."

This picture was taken in the Constitutional Court chambers.  Note that judges would sit on the same level as the lawyers, etc.   Notice also the small windows along the front right of this shot.  These windows are to symbolize the transparency of the court and also to remind those that serve inside that their decisions impact everyone outside. There are many other symbols like the cowhides which remind them of their tribal heritage, and the use of bricks from the old prison symbolizing breaking down the past and rebuilding into something better.