What do Albert Luthuli, former president of the African National Congress, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, last president of the ‘old South Africa’ FW de Klerk and the legendary Nelson Mandela have in common? They all won the Nobel Peace Prize and their effigies stand together at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. more

Nobel Square at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town honours the 4 South Africans awarded Nobel Peace Prizes for their efforts and sacrifices in bringing about a new, democratic order. The statues of them, standing above Nobel Square, face on to Table Mountain. more

If you prefer plush luxury and a sense of the past to minimalist lines and modern efficiency, then indulge your inner history fundi, and plan a visit to South Africa’s many national monument hotels and lodges. From self-catering lodges to 50-room hotels, there’s a destination to suit every budget. more

South Africa's national monuments and memorials can be found across the country. Commemorating our past and those who shaped it, they range from the imposing to the quirky. Among these monuments and memorials are everything from the grand Union Buildings to the eccentric Owl House, and even a post office tree. more

The Gandhi Memorial depicts a cauldron similar to those used to burn passes during the passive resistance campaign sparked by him. This South African memorial to Gandhi was created by Usha Seejarim to honour Gandhi's contribution to South Africa's Freedom Struggle. more

The hardy horses of southern Africa – be they the pioneering boerperd, the sure-footed Basotho pony or the imported Arab blends – have a proud history. For adventure travellers who see the world from a saddle, and for history lovers, the horse riding routes of South Africa are top quality. more

The South African donkey, which originates from North Africa, is still used as a means of transport in rural communities. Originally introduced by missionaries centuries ago, the donkey holds a special place in the Kalahari. A memorial to the working donkey stands proud in Upington. more

The Steve Biko Memorial in Ginsberg, outside King Williams' Town, is dedicated to the political activist who became the face of Black Consciousness in South Africa. Murdered in 1977 by security police, his legacy is maintained by the Steve Biko Foundation. more

The Rhodes Memorial on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak in Cape Town is built on grounds once owned by Cecil John Rhodes, a controversial giant in South African history. Sharing space with the Rhodes Memorial are the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. more

Among the earliest white settlers in the Cape’s colonial history, were French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in Europe. Their arrival added yet another thread to the South African cultural tapestry. Their contribution is celebrated at the Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek, South Africa’s ‘French corner’. more

What began as a summons to appear in court on assault and other charges led to an early 19th Century rebellion that played a role in the massive Afrikaner Great Trek of the 1830s. The Slagtersnek Monument outside Cookhouse in the Eastern Cape is a reminder of the uprising. more

Walking around the beautifully made Voting Line sculpture at the Donkin Reserve in Port Elizabeth, you get the true sense of the Rainbow Nation of South Africa. The metal figures represent all the communities who share the land – and who voted peacefully on 27 April 27 1994. more

The Voortrekker Monument commemorates the epic exodus of disillusioned Boers from the Cape into the interior. This massive monument is ringed with granite ox-wagons and inside contains a frieze of Boer heroics. The large grounds have been declared a National Nature Reserve, which abounds with small game. more

Philippolis is a small town in South Africa that few locals have visited, but most recognise the name from a rusty signboard somewhere between Johannesburg to Cape Town. Philippolis was once a thriving centre of activity almost halfway between the cities, but today it's a quiet retreat from the hubbub. more