Islands Of South Africa

 

 

When you think of South Africa, the name Nelson Mandela immediately comes up. Unfortunately, alongwith that stalwart of international fame comes another association. His 27 year imprisonment on Robben Island. But South Africa has come a long way since those days.

There are 9 provinces, 52 districts and 6 islands constituting South Africa. Following are the islands:

 

1. Dassen
2. Duiker
3. Robben
4. Marion
5. Prince Edward
6. Seal

 

Dassen Island is located in Atlantic Ocean, close to Yzerfontein.It has an area of 2.73 square km and has been declared a nature reserve. Also famous as a breeding ground for African penguins.This island is not open to the public. There is a jetty and lighthouse with only the nature reserve staff making occasional trips. Potential for soccer activity before being declared reserve. Now only chance is reserve staff kicking about although that is highly unlikely as there is a very rich fauna and flora on island which would be distrubed by such activity.

Duiker island is located near Hout Bay, near Cape Town in Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of 0.4 hectares. It is also home to Cape fur seals and various species of birds. Visitied by tourists and boat charters including Drumboat charters. Chances of any football games very remote as island is very small and is home to above mentioned species. Tourists are not allowed to play ball games and boat crew are more interested in their primary job rather than play football.

Robben Island is infamous as the political prison during the apartheid years.Also known as Penguin Island, it is located in Table Bay and has an area of 5.07 square km. Apart from the fact that Nelson Mandela was incarcerated here for 20 years alongwith many other political prisoners, there is a famous incident which showed the resilience of these prisoners and the role football plays in the lives of South Africans. Makana football association was started up by the prisoners and even ran a league. Their efforts have been documented by a sports historian, Charles Korr into a documentary that will be shown before the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Makana FA now enjoys an honorary status as associate members of FIFA. The league was operational between 1966 until 1991. It consisted of three divisions and nearly 1000 players.

Marion Island is located in the Indian Ocean with an area of 290 square km.Only a meteorological and biological reserach station are located on Marion ,run by South African National Antarctic Programme. Boot Rock is just off North shore with no inhabitants. Possible pickup games among research station staff, although as likely to play rugby as soccer.

Prince Edward Island is also located just north of Marion Island and has an area of 45 square km. There are no human inhabitants here but staff from Meteorological and biological research station on Marion island visit frequently. Ship Rock and Ross Rock are located off the coast with also no inhabitants. Football activity on Prince Edward is unlikely.

Seal Island is located near Cape Town and as is obvious from their name , is populated by Cape fur seals. Island is only 800 meter long and 50 meter wide. There are ruins of a radar mast built during WW II but abandoned in 1970.Possibly football played by crew but no records exist.

Teams:

1. Makana Football Association----Robben island