“Turn It Into a Party Island”: Man Suggests Robben Island Be Turned Into Ibiza, SA Agrees

• A South African man shared with local social media users that Robben Island should be turned into a party island like Ibiza
• Robben Island is a World Heritage Site best known for imprisoning political prisoners such as the late Nelson Mandela
• Surprisingly, online community members agreed with the man's thoughts, expressing themselves in the comment section

A young man hopped onto social media to share with South Africans his thoughts about turning the historical Robben Island into Ibiza, a Spanish island known for its lively nightlife.

Clement Molobela, a local petrol station cashier, uploaded a video on his TikTok account on 2 August, 2025 where he said the following to app users about the spacious tourist attraction:

"Guys, am I the only one who thinks that Robben Island can be our very own Ibiza? Turn that into a party island. Let's party, let's groove. Imagine going to Robben Island in December. That would be nice. That would be dope."

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Although Clement seemed nonchalant in his upload, it is not known if his take was meant to be taken seriously or as a joke.

Robben Island's significance

While Robben Island was best known as a maximum security prison for apartheid political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Robert Sobukwe, it also served other purposes. The site was used as a military base, a hospital for socially unaccepted groups, and is home to the tomb of Hadjie Kramat (a Muslim leader exiled in the mid-18th century).

According to the website of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organsation's (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention, in terms of the National Monuments Act of South Africa, Robben Island became a National Monument in 1996.

It is legally protected through the following Acts:

• National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999)
• World Heritage Convention Act (49 of 1999)
• Cultural Institutions Act (119 of 1998)
• National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998)
• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004)
• National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003)

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SA agrees with Robben Island revamp

Clement's video received over half a million views since its publication. Thousands of South African social media users headed to the post's comment section in agreement (whether in jest or seriousness) of transforming the World Heritage Site into a party hotspot. Some also made mention of the departed souls haunting the site.

@tarrynthetroll humorously told the online community:

"Imagine dancing with the spirit of ubuntu."

An excited @treven_moodley commented:

"I nominate myself to be on the design team."

@loganbyron1 confessed to the public:

"I can't even afford to go to Robben Island now, never mind if it's turned into Ibiza."

@itsallabouttheadventure wrote in the comment section:

"I've been saying this for years! I'm so surprised it’s never been used for some type of purpose."

@malan2756737 said to people under the post:

"It's a good idea for an entrepreneur, but I don't think government will sell it due to the history."

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@thee_savage_uncle stated in the comment section:

"There will be a president from our generation who will approve this, and we as the adults will not see a problem with it."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about Robben Island

• In another story, Briefly News reported in April that Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie promised to investigate how many foreign nationals were employed at the Robben Island Museum.
• ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula received criticism after arriving on a luxury yacht to Robben Island while other member of the ruling party came by ferry. South Africans called the explanation weak.
• Former ANC president Thabo Mbeki left the nation divided when he questioned Jacob Zuma's imprisonment on Robben Island and the trial that led to his conviction.

Source: Briefly News