Situated on a hill amidst vineyards just outside Stellenbosch, Allegria Guesthouse features Imba Yehvu metal art sculptures in its rooms and lounges, as well as on the outside veranda.

Read more about the Imba Yehvu Project.

Allegria ("joy of life") comprises six spacious rooms in a majestic villa. Each room is individually and stylish decorated, for instance with Imba Yehvu masks, Nyati, (buffalo) Shumba (Lion) and a large Chipembere (Rhino) in the entry hall. The sculptures can also be bought at the Guesthouse.

Contemporary, yet with a stylish touch of Africa and offering all imaginable comfort, Allegria is a perfect base to...

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the small village of Mvezo in the district of Umtata, the capital of Transkei.

Mandela’s middle name, Rolihlahla, means “to pull a branch off a tree” or more colloquially “troublemaker.” Mandela was born into royalty as his great grandfather was Ngubebgcuka (died in 1832) the Inkosi Enkhulu – King of the Thembu people.

Today he is know nationally and internationally as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela’s clan.

He was the first member of his family to go to school, and he went on to study law through the University of South Africa, whilst working as an article clerk for his friend’s (Walter Sisulu) law firm.

After this he studied...