One of my greatest fears is traveling on water. I always tell people close to
At Robben Island
my heart that I travel “over water and not on water.” Many times I have foregone promises of wonderful weekends with girlfriends on certain islands because of this fear. Never mind I know how to swim.
But June 4th 2010, will forever be imprinted in my brain. For a week or so, I had been battling with the idea of visiting the world renown Robben Island made popular by Nelson Mandela a South African political activist and the first President of South Africa to be elected in fully-representative democratic elections in 1994. He was imprisoned here for 18 years. I always love to read anything that has Nelson Mandela in it. I have closely followed the 46664 and read over and over again where it all staretd. Now I had a chance to see first hand where the story started. Where the manuscripts of The long walk to freedom were written albeit stealthily.
With a group of 27 others, we headed to Waterfront in Cape Town, from where we would board the ship to Robben Island. My heart was beating faster than Usian Bolt’s after the Olympic race. But I did well at hiding my apprehension.
Time check 10:50am. The ship leaves in 10 minutes. I have my ticket in my hand and it is boarding time. First I sit inside the ship with a friend but I can’t settle. I now think to myself, if I am to beat this fear, I have to look at the water. A few steps upstairs and am on top of the ship. The camera flashes away and a few minutes latter we are in the middle of no where. Only water and some large cargo ships around us. The waves are only mild. But at least they are big enough to rock the ship and make me nauseous. I can’t wait for the 30 minutes or so to elapse so I can set foot on the mainland.
Once I was on Robben Island, I forgot about the sea. I tried to take in as much as I could. The tour guide did a good job. He talks like he has all the South African History books in his head. I was impressed. I asked as many questions as possible. I managed to take a few pictures at Nelson Mandela’s former cell where he was a resident for 18 years. It was so emotional. How did he manage to live in solitary confinement in a cell with such a small window that he could hardly hear the birds sing or even see them fly?
I understood that nothing comes without a cost. The whole world celebrates him because he conquered his fears, did not detract from his vision and decades later, he saw his dream of a united South Africa come to pass.
I knew then that since I had conquered one of my greatest fears, I could go ahead and land on the many treasured Islands I had failed to reach in my life. Some of these for many of us are in our careers, families, name it. I dare you, you can reach your greatest potential once you beat that fear. I am taking the lessons of June 4th 2010 to guide the rest of my life. Please share with me what your greatest fear is.
In the words of Nelson Mandela Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond potential”
We are powerful enough to beat any fear in our lives
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