WALKING WITH MADIBA

Looking for something special to do on Mandela Day on 18 July?

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Take some inspiration from travel enthusiast and author of Vagabond: wandering through Africa on faith, LERATO MOGOATLHE.



ROBBEN ISLAND
Western Cape

The island, off the coast of Cape Town, was Madiba’s home for 18 years of his life while he was imprisoned. Its sad history aside, a visit here opens a window to the hardships endured by Mandela and his comrades and serves as a reminder of how deeply he loved his country and people.

LOCATION: To get there, contact Nelson Mandela Getaway at the V&A Waterfront, +27 21 413 4200

ENTRANCE FEE: Tours have to be booked in advance and cost 360.00 The price includes the ferry trip to the island, a visit to the maximum-security prison and a bus tour of Robben Island. Book at webtickets.co.za.

WHEN TO VISIT: Tours are conducted Monday to Sunday, four times a day, at 9am, 11am,
1pm and 3pm



NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM
Eastern Cape

In the beautiful wild coast of the Eastern Cape you’ll find this museum, a tribute to Madiba that lets you experience his entire life’s journey, from his childhood in the village of Qunu to his standing as a political elder and moral leader.

There are exhibitions that show him as a young boy working on his stick-fighting skills, and various portraits taken throughout his life. You’ll be reminded that humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary success.

LOCATION: Bhunga Building, Corner Nelson Mandela Drive and Owen Street, Mthatha

ENTRANCE FEE: None

WHEN TO VISIT: Open weekdays from 9am to 4pm; Saturdays from 9am to 3pm and Sundays from 9am to 1pm. Closed on Good Friday and Workers’ Day.

CONTACT: +27 47 501 9500 or info@nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za



MANDELA HOUSE
Gauteng

Here you’ll be introduced to Madiba the family man, where he ate his meals and spent quality time with his loved ones. The house is now a museum and the experience comes with a curator who narrates the story of Madiba’s life at the house.

It’s a modest home, but one of the most significant places in his life, and it’s where he returned for 11 days after his release from Robben Island.

LOCATION: 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West

ENTRANCE FEE: 40.00 per adult; 20.00 for children and students

WHEN TO VISIT: Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 4.45pm. Closed on Good Friday, Family Day, Day of Goodwill and Christmas Day.

CONTACT: +27 11 936 7754 or info@mandelahouse.com



NELSON MANDELA CAPTURE SITE
KwaZulu-Natal

The beautiful town of Howick in the Natal Midlands is the site of what turned out to be a historic day in South Africa, when Nelson Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962 (and subsequently sentenced to 27 years in prison).

The 9.5-metre sculpture of Madiba is the largest artwork in the country that uses laser-cut metal beams. As the sun’s position changes above the statue throughout the day, the patterns on the ground made by the beams also change.

LOCATION: R103 Howick, KwaZulu-Natal

ENTRANCE FEE: None

WHEN TO VISIT: Open daily from 9am to 4pm, except on 25 and 26 December.

CONTACT: +27 33 330 8195 or info@thecapturesite.co.za

MADIBA FACT FILE
• Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, E Cape on 18 July 1918.
• At primary school in Qunu his teacher gave him the name Nelson, as the custom was to give schoolchildren ‘Christian’ names.
• He completed a BA degree through Unisa, and a two-year diploma in law on top of that allowed him to practise law. In August 1952 he and Oliver Tambo established SA’s first black law firm, Mandela & Tambo.
• On 11 June 1964 Mandela and seven others were sentenced to life imprisonment for ‘treason’.
• In 1989 he obtained an LLB degree through Unisa.
• He was released from Victor Verster Prison near Paarl on Sunday 11 February 1990.
• On 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated as SA’s first democratically elected President.

By LERATO MOGOATLHE