Experience Madiba’s Legacy in Historical Cape Town
In one of my visits to South Africa, I took a trip down a politically inspired memory lane in Cape Town. While I was exploring the streets, Nelson Mandela’s face greeted me from unexpected places. From street vendors selling Andi Warhol-inspired coasters with the former President’s face on, to large-scale graffiti on more than one building, the people of Cape Town clearly adore this man. After speaking to some locals I was persuaded to go on an informal ‘Madiba Tour’ that included a few of the places where major events involving Mandela took place.
The father of a colorful nation
Everybody in the world knows the face of Nelson Mandela, and can only contemplate the suffering he experienced, and the iron will that got him through it. Most of the world took note of him when he became known as a rebel and a fighter against ‘apartheid’. They were jubilant when he was released after being imprisoned for 27 years, and devastated when he was laid to rest in 2013. Madiba is a father to his nation and a hero to millions of people across the globe. Although it is not possible to meet the great man anymore, it is possible to visit some of the historical places that are connected with his life story, one of the greatest tales on earth.
City Hall – Darling Street
Very near one of the biggest street art portraits of Madiba there is an imposing Edwardian building built by the British in 1905 during the colonial rule. The building is now the Cape Town City Hall. This was where Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison in 1990. Thousands of supporters waited for the freedom fighter to appear on the small balcony below the clock tower where his voice was heard in public for the first time in nearly thirty years.
Parliament – Parliament Street
Nearby the little balcony where the very first address was made I found the Parliament buildings of South Africa, where Mandela made many speeches after he became the president of the country. I was surprised to find that it is free to tour the Parliament buildings, a far cry from the £25 it costs to tour the Houses of Parliament in London…
St George’s Cathedral Crypt – cnr. Wale and Victoria Streets
Across the road from the Parliament buildings I visited what is known as ‘the people’s cathedral’ – St George’s Cathedral. It was explained to me that it is called that because it played a significant role in the struggle against the regime of ‘apartheid’. There is a stirring photographic exhibition of 13 September 1989, a historic day in which over 30,000 individuals of all races marches through the city streets to call for the end of apartheid. Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has close ties to the cathedral. Despite being retired Archbishop Tutu sometimes conducts Friday morning services that are open to public attendance.
Nobel Square – V&A Waterfront
Nobel Square is an area created to celebrate the four South African Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Tutu, F.W. de Klerk and Albert Luthuli. The nearly life-size statues of the four are often used in photos with the harbour and the picturesque mountains in the background. To me the statues looked a bit like Easter egg figurines, pleasantly different to the run of the mill realistic sculptures of famous people usually created. For example the sculptures at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London.
Robben Island
Also at the V&A Waterfront is the port from where ferries transport visitors to Robben Island. For centuries the island was home to convicts, political prisoners and lepers. This is also where Madiba was imprisoned for 18 years of his life. The 12 kilometre journey over the ocean was choppy and scary at times, some people even got seasick. Since I have my sea-legs, I could enjoy the sunfish, seals and dolphins in the bay. My cheerfulness soon gave way to melancholy when I stood in the very cell that the freedom fighter called home for all those years. I saw the lime quarry where he performed backbreaking labour and Table Mountain in the distance, a far-away symbol of freedom. Suddenly I understood exactly why Madiba is revered.
great trip and article. i am thinking to travel similar places. thank you for sharing.
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I’m amazingly impressed by your pictures and how you visited the key places in South Africa. It’s an amazing place to visit and full of wildlife perfect for anyone who loves travelling. I’d love to go there one day.
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I would love to visit one day.
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I always advise going up to Table Mountain in the morning, as sometimes in the afternoon, you do get the ‘tablecloth’ of cloud descend on the mountain top, regardless of the time of year – whilst great to watch it rolling off the mountain if you are sat in the Waterfront looking up at it, not so great to be on the top of the mountain when it descends!
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What a great man he was. Very nice piece of article. I hope to visit this beautiful country one day.
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Cape town is on my bucket list for sure! How safe did you feel on the streets? I heard you can be pickpockets quite easily?!?!
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It seems that you had a great experience on a “Madiba” tour. Nelson Mandela was truly a great man and is revered in Africa. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Cape Town is certainly worth visiting.
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Very interesting. This sort of post is really insightful to those of us who are unable to travel. I think Mr Warhol’s first name is spelled Andy 🙂
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This a very good but sad article about South African places to visit.It is also tinged with sadness and a look into the past of how things once were.A breathtaking country though to say the least.
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An inspiring article indeed.
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Amaing write up on this place, really makes me feel like i’ve been there.
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In the world Everybody knows the face of Nelson Mandela and it’s history.I like this post and it’s a nice article about “FINDING MADIBA IN CAPE TOWN”.I also read other African place and details.I share it and i hope everybody like it.
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It sounds like a very interesting journey you have been on and I would like myself to travel there one day as it seems like a really interesting place with lots of history and culture.
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Great way to celebrate this event as follow the memory of Nelson Mandela. Thanks to Rafael Barber.
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Great post! Sounds like ‘Madiba Tour’ is worthwhile and gave you some real insight.
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Really informative and inspiring, Thanks!
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Very interesting article, I’d definitely like to visit Cape Town sometime.
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I’ve always wanted to go to South Africa. The amount of good that one man can do for a country is incredible.
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Thank you for this article. I have wanted to go to Cape Town for some time and you have inspired me to finally do so. Reading through your list of places to visit I will definitely take note and visit them!
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RSA has come through a lot over the past few decades, goodness knows how things would have turned out if Madiba hadn’t been such a unifying influence in the end.
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Nice and well described post. Learned a lot from here about the madiba ( Nelson Mandela) and South Africa. Keep it up. It’s been a Pleasure to reading this 🙂
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Very interesting place. Generally, South Africa would be a pretty good choice for vacation . Good article !
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This post brought some nice memories back.
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Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest man on this earth.I salute you.
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Wonderful article! It has tempted me to go back to South Africa
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Such an inspirational man. After such a troubled start to his political career, & abuse from his country it’s good to see him remembered so well, so sad he’s no longer with us. Will definitely be on my must see list if I ever get the chance to visit South Afica.
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Sounds like a perfect hoiiday: the combination of history, interesting places and people are ideal. One day I hope to travel to South Africa like this. Thanks.
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