The Joburg Mandela pilgramage

Residents and visitors are encouraged to take time out and draw inspiration from some of the landmarks that form part of Johannesburg’s Mandela treasures.

Some of the places to visit on the Mandela Route includes:

• Nelson Mandela Yard, Alexandra Township

A narrow alleyway, flanked by houses that 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

One of the most famous streets 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 of Fox and Gerard Sekoto Streets, Ferreiras Town, 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 1950s – 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.

Other related sites includes:

• Nelson Mandela Bridge

Named in Nelson Mandela’s honour and opened in 2003, this is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Africa (284m), spanning 42 railway lines to link Braamfontein with Newtown in central Johannesburg.

• Apartheid Museum.

The first of its kind, this museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. It serves to show 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 symbolising 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 that 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

The best way to enjoy these sites and tours is to contact a reputable registered tour guide.