Mandela's Cape Town Memories

"The mainland to which we knew we would one day return"

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years confined to Robben Island as a political prisoner and many of Cape Town's landmarks are politically significant to him. Mass marches and struggles by Cape Town's people served as a constant source of strength. We share Mandela's Cape Town Memories.

The Omar Residence

A prominent figure in Cape Town's Muslim community, Dullah Omar became Nelson Mandela's spokesperson during his final years of imprisonment.

Author of Hunger for Freedom—the story of food in the life of Nelson Mandela, Anna Trapido recalls: "Farida Omar (Dullah's wife) told me that when she was a child, Madiba was part of an ANC and Transvaal Indian Congress joint delegation, which came to Cape Town for a meeting. Farida's family hosted the delegates for supper, one evening, and 10-year-old Farida gave a prayer at the start of the meal."

Robben Island

Christo Brand was Nelson Mandela's prison guard and transferred with him to Pollsmoor Prison. During this time, he became a lifelong friend to Mandela.

"Robben Island had an open yard at the top of the prison," says Christo. "There was a vegetable patch and table tennis. Although fond of table tennis, when Mandela was gardening he was on another planet. He was proud of his garden and would often talk to it in the mornings. He would grow brinjals, tomatoes, onions and spinach, which, every Friday, the wardens would combine with meat to make a stew. He would always share his stew with the wardens."

"We later transferred to Pollsmoor Prison and the officers would occasionally take Mandela out. I remember a day, in 1985, when we visited a nearby dam. He stepped out of the Ford Cortina and stood with a group of children, talking freely and learning how to catch fish. He was genuinely concerned for the children's safety, as they were sitting alone by the dam."

Table Mountain

Nelson Mandela recalls fond memories of the view from Robben Island: "During the many years of incarceration on Robben Island, we often looked across Table Mountain at its magnificent silhouette. To us on Robben Island, Table Mountain was a beacon of hope. It represented the mainland to which we knew we would one day return."

Desmond Tutu's official residence

Nelson Mandela, and his then wife Winnie, visited Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s official residence in Bishops court, Cape Town, on the day after his release. Members of the Mandela family and struggle icons including; Walter and Albertina Sisulu were present.

On the 20th anniversary of Mandela's release, Tutu commented: "The day Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison, our collective spirit soared. It was a day that promised the beginning of the end of indignity."

The Grand Parade

Cape Town's main public square was the first place where Nelson Mandela addressed South Africans following his release from prison, in 1990. He also appeared following his election as president, on 9th May 1994.

At the Freedom Day Celebrations, on 27th April 1998, Mandela commented: "When we gathered here on the Grand Parade in 1990, we knew that our march to freedom was irreversible, that nothing could stop our dream of a free South Africa coming true. Four years later, on 27 April 1994, the people of South Africa in all their millions declared before the world that they would govern themselves."

Newlands Stadium

Nelson Mandela's role in the 1995 Rugby World Cup not only inspired the Springboks to victory, but also inspired a nation to unite.

Author of Playing the Enemy, John Carlin, wrote: "Former Springbok captain, Morné du Plessis, arranged for the players to learn the old song of black resistance, now the new national anthem, Nkosi Sikelele Afrika (God Bless Africa). At a choir session in Cape Town, the Springbok players belted out the song with feeling, the vast second-row Boer Kobus Wiese leading the choral charge."

Mandela has inspired Cape Town

Mandela has inspired our struggles against Apartheid, HIV/AIDS, crime and poverty. Today, we live in a culturally vibrant Cape Town, where anyone can go anywhere, regardless of age, race, creed or sexuality.

By Lisa Nevitt

Read more about Freedom Day, Nelson Mandela, Toyi-toyi and Desmond Tutu in our What's the Deal With...section.

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