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Following in Mandela's footsteps

| Dec 10, 2013 | News

Shadow BoxerThe Shadow Boxer, a newly launched statue of Nelson Mandela, positioned between Chancellor House and the Magistrates’ Court

As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, SA Conference looks back at the various sites that were part of Mandela’s long walk to freedom.

Following in Madiba’s Footsteps
Draw inspiration from and take time reflecting on the life of a beloved international icon, by visiting some of the places that formed a significant part of Nelson Mandela’s life in Johannesburg.

  • Nelson Mandela Yard, Alexandra Township A narrow alleyway, flanked by houses which leads to a small one-roomed house –  now called Mandela’s Yard – which was used by him for a short time, between 1941 and 1942.
  • Mandela House Museum, 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto  The most famous street in South Africa – and probably the only one in the world  -which has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu.  This is where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962.
  • Chancellor House, corner Fox and Gerard Sekoto Street, Ferreirastown, Central Johannesburg This modest three-storey building has great significance as the place where Nelson Mandela and his partner Oliver Tambo had their law offices during the 1950’s, at the time the only black-owned law firm in South Africa. Chancellor House stands opposite the imposing Magistrates’ Courts where Mandela and Tambo practised as lawyers. From these Chambers, Mandela and Tambo challenged apartheid laws, both professionally and politically, backed in later years, by a team that included the outstanding black lawyers Duma Nokwe and Godfrey Pitje.
  • Shadow Boxer Across the road stands the Shadow Boxer, a newly launched statue of Nelson Mandela, positioned between Chancellor House and the Magistrates’ Court, a route the young Mandela must have walked many times. A large steel sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli, the Shadow Boxer depicts a the young Nelson Mandela as an amateur boxer.  In the artwork, the sport of boxing provides a way of thinking about the apartheid legal system. Faced by oppressive laws, Mandela did battle at the courts, both an attorney and an accused.     
  • Liliesleaf Farm, 7 George Avenue, Rivonia One of Joburg’s most impressive heritage sites, it was here that people like Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Ruth First, Lionel Bernstein, Ahmed Kathrada, Denis Goldberg and Walter Sisulu met, discussed and planned the emancipation of South Africa from the oppression of apartheid rule.
  • Constitution Hill, Kotze Street, Braamfontein A unique heritage site, where visitors can witness democracy at work.  The Consitutional Court is one of Joburg’s most significant pieces of post-apartheid architecture. Built in 1893 by the Boers to resist the advances of the British Empire, the Old Fort then became a prison for white male prisoners, and where Nelson Mandela was the only black prisoner held in this “whites only” prison.
  • The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Central Avenue, Houghton Located in close proximity to Nelson Mandela’s private home, the Centre of Memory delivers the core work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1999 to support its Founder’s ongoing engagement in worthy causes on his retirement as President of South Africa.

 Joburg’s Top Heritage Attractions Include

  • Nelson Mandela Bridge  Named in Nelson Mandela’s honour and opened in 2003, this is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Africa (284 m), spanning 42 railway lines to link Braamfontein with Newtown in central Johannesburg.
  • Citysightseeing Red Bus Tour (Hop On, Hop Off) The tour runs along a fascinating route through the Johannesburg CBD that stops at Gandhi Square, the Roof of Africa at the Carlton Centre, the James Hall Transport Museum,  the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City, the Mining District, SAB World of Beer, the Carlton Centre, Santarama Miniland,  the Newtown Precinct,  Origins Centre at Wits Campus, Braamfontein and Constitution Hill.
  • Origins Centre A museum in Africa for the people of the world, offering visitors a unique experience of Africa’s rich complex and mysterious past. The narrative structure of the Museum takes visitors through an extraordinary journey of discovery.
  • Apartheid Museum The first of its kind, this museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. It is a beacon of hope, showing the world how South Africans are coming to terms with their oppressive past and working towards a future that they can all call their own.
  • The June 16 Trail Route Walking the June 16 Trail will acquaint visitors with the township’s struggle heritage. This route is mapped by red bricks symbolizing bloodshed, with landmarks along this open air museum portraying milestones of the student march, which started at Naledi High School. The students gathered pupils along the way and were planning to assemble for a  meeting at the Orlando Stadium, but were intercepted by police on Vilakazi Street in Orlando West.
  • The Struggle Route Includes landmarks and attractions which point to South Africa’s rich struggle history, including:
  • Mandela Family Museum
  • Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication and Kliptown Open Air Museum
  • Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum
  • Liliesleaf Farm
  • Constitution Hill

Touring & Sightseeing in Joburg The best way to get around quickly in Joburg while sightseeing, is to take a tour with a good (registered) tour guide. Some tour guides will create a tour around your requirements, while most offer standard day tours to popular locations.

Accommodation
A diverse selection of accommodation is available throughout all six regions of Johannesburg, ranging from graded bed & breakfasts and guesthouses, to budget and deluxe hotel accommodation. For more information consult the following websites:

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