South Africa Tourism unveils 100 experiences to mark Mandela’s Centenary

0a1a-59
0a1a-59

To celebrate the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, South Africa Tourism has unveiled 100 ne experiences.

To celebrate the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, South African Tourism has unveiled 100 experiences to connect travelers to the political icon as part of its ‘100 ways to find the Nelson Mandela in you’ campaign. Visitors to South Africa can trace the timeline of Mandela’s life through tours and visits to the places of most significance to him across the destination, including the Capture Site, Robben Island and Constitution Hill prisons.

The 100 experiences are now available on South African Tourism’s app – Madiba’s Journey. Users can view the attractions on a map, build their own itineraries and share their own journeys on social media. Users can experience the emotion and relevance of each location through audio, text and image galleries.

In addition to these experiences in South Africa, the centenary will also be celebrated in London with the opening of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition from 17th July – 19th August 2018 at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Tolene Van Der Merwe, Hub Head UK and Ireland for South African Tourism commented: “2018 is a momentous year for South Africa, marking what would have been 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela. By providing 100 experiences across the destination, we aim to entice visitors to South Africa to learn about Madiba’s life and continue his legacy. We’re excited to see so many tourism offerings and events inspired by Madiba’s life that will enable travelers to experience our destination in a new and captivating way.”

Nelson Mandela Experiences in South Africa

Highlights from the 100 experiences include:

Footsteps to Freedom, Cape Town
The Footsteps to Freedom tour traces a number of important historical and cultural sites across Cape Town. Guests choose from a variety of tours which can then be tailor-made to suit their favorite activities. Best known for their Mandela Tours, the knowledgeable guides will take visitors on a path of discovery across the city.
For more information, visit https://www.southafrica.net/uk/en/travel/article/footsteps-to-freedom

Soweto Bicycle Tours, Soweto

Soweto Bicycle Tours, a home–grown initiative of Soweto Backpackers offers a ground-level tour of an iconic area of Johannesburg, a place Nelson Mandela once called home. Throughout the tour there will be the opportunity to experience a taste of Soweto by stopping at different food stalls and shebeens (pubs) along the way. The tour ends with traditional beer tasting along with storytelling on African customs and traditions.

The Mandela House Museum, Soweto

Vilakazi Street may have been formed from humble origins, but it would go on to become one of the most famous streets in South Africa, for being home to not one but two Nobel Laureates. Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived on this street and both went on to change the course of South African history. Nelson Mandela’s home, No. 8115, of more than 14 years still stands and visitors can walk around and see the interiors, learning what it was like when Mandela lived there.

Walk through South Africa’s history, Pretoria

History and culture in Pretoria reveals a lot about the character of the city. Once the capital of the old independent Transvaal Boere Republic, Pretoria is the administrative and diplomatic heart of South Africa. Historic landmarks are found around almost every corner – including Freedom Park. Intended to embody the nation’s historical consciousness, the hilltop complex in Salvokep commemorates the struggle and the heroes who have shaped South Africa into the nation it is today.

Robben Island, Cape Town

Arguably one of South Africa’s most famous attractions, Robben Island is a must-visit for any travellers interested in learning more about the country’s turbulent history and the people that helped to end apartheid. Visitors to the island will be guided by past inmates who remember Nelson Mandela from his years of imprisonment and offer insight into what it was like to be held captive there. It is a humbling and moving experience but vital to understanding South Africa’s troubled past.

The Market Theatre, Newton – Johannesburg

The Market Theatre is world renowned for bravely putting on a brilliant anti–apartheid plays. The Market Theatre’s history is intertwined with the cultural, social and political struggle for freedom in South Africa. During the past four decades, The Market Theatre has evolved into a cultural complex for theatre, music, dance and the allied arts. On the 2nd anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, Letters from Mandela was performed at The Market Theatre. Today the Market Theatre remains at the forefront of producing and presenting cutting edge work which is inclusive of the rich tapestry of African diversity.

The Nelson Mandela Museum, Mthatha

Travellers hoping to learn more about Nelson Mandela’s early life should be sure to visit The Nelson Mandela Museum, situated outside of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The museum traces Mandela’s journey from humble beginnings to one of the greatest political leaders of our time. Visitors can also learn more about Mandela’s time in power and can even see gifts that were given to him during his tenure as president. From the museum, visitors can easily visit Mvezo, Mandela’s rural birthplace and understand more about the land that shaped him.

Mandela Capture Site, Howick

The 5th August 1962 would prove to be pivotal moment in Nelson Mandela’s life. It was on this day that he would finally be captured by police, after being on the run from the government for 17 months. On the 50th anniversary of his capture, a steel sculpture was unveiled on the site to honour Madiba. Designed by artist Marco Cianfanelli with the help of architect Jeremy Rose, the sculpture creates something of an optical illusion. From a distance, the 50 steel poles of varying heights simply look like a random collection of metal, but as you approach to within 35m of the sculpture, they merge to form an image of Mandela’s face.

Nelson Mandela Voting Line Sculpture, Port Elizabeth

The Voting Line Sculpture is a striking personification of the joy felt by the South Africans who voted peacefully on 27th April 1994, to elect Nelson Mandela into power. The 38-metre-long sculpture symbolises all South Africans of every background, colour and creed and is representative of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ that was formed that day.

Liliesleaf Farm, Johannesburg

This unassuming farm in Northern Johannesburg was used secretly in the 1960s by senior ANC members, who planned the overthrow of the apartheid government and were arrested during a police raid in 1963. As a key member of the ANC, Nelson Mandela also lived here posing as a cook and gardener so as not to arouse suspicion. The Liliesleaf Farm Museum aims to give the farm its rightful place in South Africa’s history.

Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

Formerly a prison and a military fort, Constitution Hill bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens. Some of South Africa’s, and the world’s, most famous political campaigners were imprisoned here including; Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Joe Slovo, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Fatima Meer.

The Nelson Mandela Bridge, Johannesburg

Whilst a relatively new addition to the Johannesburg skyline, The Nelson Mandela Bridge has already gained an iconic status within South Africa. Named for Nelson Mandela, the bridge symbolizes his work in bridging the divided South Africa and uniting the country as the Rainbow Nation. At night this is symbolized as the bridge lights up in rainbow colors.

Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg

Nelson Mandela Square is a thriving centre in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg. The square is based outside Sandton City Shopping Mall, a hub of restaurants, shops and cafes. Presiding over the square is an imposing statue of Nelson Mandela, designed by Kobus Hattingh and Jocob Maponyane. The square had been previously known as Sandton Square but was renamed on 31st March 2004 to mark ten years of democracy in South Africa.

Alexandra Heritage Precinct, Johannesburg

Originally hailing from South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela eventually moved to Johannesburg to begin making his political mark. When he first moved he lived in the township of Alexandra and visitors can now pay homage to him at the one-room house on Stanley Road where Mandela lived. Previously known as the Dark City, Alexandra township was given this name as for a long time it had no access to electricity. Like much of South Africa, the area has a varied and turbulent past and tourists are encouraged to visit to understand more about the people who live there.

Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in London

Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition 17th July – 19th August 2018

A free exhibition celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th Century, will open at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Tuesday 17th July 2018 and will run until Sunday 19th August. Jointly presented by the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives in the UK and Southbank Centre, the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition focuses on the life and times of Mandela and celebrates the centenary of his birth. It traces Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom through six main themes: character, comrade, leader, prisoner, negotiator and statesman. It is the first time the exhibition will be shown in the UK, after successful runs of various iterations in locations around the world.

About the author

Avatar of Chief Assignment Editor

Chief Assignment Editor

Chief Assignment editor is Oleg Siziakov

Share to...