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Nelson Mandela in the Eastern Cape
Mandela Country
Visitors to the Nelson Mandela Museum, Mthatha.
© Chris Marais
Did you know?
The Nelson Mandela Museum also displays the boxing gloves he used as a young man.
There’s a young professional man on the Mandela Freedom Trail, walking down the corridors of a superb museum in the Eastern Cape town of Mthatha.
Accompanying him, hand in hand, is his 3-year-old son. They stand quietly before the huge expanded images of Madiba – as Nelson Mandela is affectionately known worldwide.
They talk about the time when, after his release, Nelson Mandela was asked why he wore those trademark loose-fitting, colourful shirts and he replied: 'You must remember I was in jail for 27 years. I want to feel freedom.'
The life-size Long Walk to Freedom display at the Nelson Mandela Museum – once the old Transkei parliament building – is a world-class effort.
The 2 wings of the museum are dedicated to describing the world Nelson Mandela grew up in – including the infamous Rivonia Trial after which he ended up on Robben Island – and the lead-up to the democratic elections of 1994.
There is one huge photograph which has a particularly stunning effect: it is of his former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, standing isolated on the courthouse steps after his sentencing.
Less than an hour’s drive south is the village of Qunu, where Nelson Mandela grew up. Here, too, is part of the Nelson Mandela Freedom Trail, in the form of a youth and heritage centre named after the great man.
It perches on the ridge of a hill overlooking the village. From here you can see the various stage-points of Mandela’s youth: the rocks he used to slide down, the school he attended, the trading store where he saw his first white person – and the stone church where he was baptised.
Nelson Mandela’s fame has left its mark on his home village. As 1 long-time resident said 'Before Qunu was famous, there was no water, no electricity – and no visitors…'
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Nelson Mandela Museum - Mthatha
Tel: +27 (0) 47 532 5110
Email: mandelamuseum2@intekom.co.za
Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Center - Qunu
Tel: +27 (0) 47 538 0217
Email: mandelamuseum2@intekom.co.za
Imonti Tours
Velile Ndlumbini
Tel: +27 (83) 487 8975
Fax: +27 (86) 694 0319
Email: velile@imontitours.co.za
How to get here
Drive north up the N2 from East London and you'll find the village of Qunu on the left and, continuing, you arrive in Mthatha. Qunu is about 190km from East London, or 2 hours' drive. Mthatha is about 230km from East London, or about 2 and a half hours' drive.
Tours to do
Imonti Tours will get you to the area; the on-site tour guides are well trained and come free of charge. A tip, however, will be gratefully received.
What will it cost
Entrance to both Mthatha and Qunu museum venues is free - donations are appreciated.
Length of stay
2 days to do both Qunu and Mthatha.
Where to stay
Either in Mthatha or in Qunu village.
What's happening
Update: The Mthatha section of the Nelson Mandela Museum is to close for renovations from August 2011 for more than two years. The current exhibition will be moved to Qunu and is expected to be set up in September 2011.