Touring Nelson Mandela's landmarks in Cape Town

Explore the role Mandela played in forming our free city

Nelson Mandela worked tirelessly for a free and democratic society. Today, Cape Town is still a culturally diverse city in which anyone can go anywhere. No visit to Cape Town is complete without an educational tour of the monuments, statues, landmarks and museums that celebrate his legacy.

Robben Island
This island served as a place of banishment and isolation for much of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. Now a World Heritage site and museum, the prison is a poignant reminder of the price South Africa paid for freedom. Read more about day tours of Robben Island.
Nelson Mandela Gateway | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 413 4220

Cape Town City Hall
On February 11 1990, only hours after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela made his first public speech from the balcony of the Cape Town City Hall. Built in 1905, the large Edwardian building is located on the Grand Parade, with fixtures and fittings imported from Europe.
Darling Street | Cape Town

The Nobel Peace Laureates
Standing in the form of a crescent are four sculptures of the Nobel Peace prize laureates, Albert Lithuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. Each individual's preferred quotations are engraved, in their chosen languages, in front of the sculptures. The Peace and Democracy sculpture, also found on the Nobel Square, is a narrative work which acknowledges the contribution of women and children to the attainment of peace in South Africa.  Go there on wheels; a visit to the Nobel Peace Laureates is part of the AWOL City Cycling Tour.
Nobel Square | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town

Mandela House Museum
Now called the Groot Drakenstein correctional facility, Victor Verster Prison was where Mandela spent his final months of imprisonment. A bronze statue of Mandela shows him with a raised fist - a well recognised gesture of defiance. You can combine a tour of the prison with wine tasting and a gourmet lunch at Vrede en Lust Wine Estate.

Drakenstein Prison site | R301 between Paarl and Franschoek | + 27 (0)82 443 8879

Mandela Rhodes Place
The Mandela Rhodes Place Hotel & Spa offers visitors a timeline, which chronicles the life of Mandela in 14 distinct sections. The basement theatre supper club, the Rainbow Room, features a documentary of his life, while the Atrium boasts a wire art statue of Nelson Mandela, entitled "First Step to Freedom". There is an innovative mosaic made from Rubrik's Cubes which form an abstract portrait of Nelson Mandela. Built by Jan Du Plessis, the artwork was completed for the third annual Ubuntu Festival in 2011.

Burg Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 481 4000

By Lisa Nevitt

Find out more about other legendary Mandela locations in Cape Town. Go here for our report on Mandela's birthday and read about the annual 27 for Freedom Race.

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