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Tribute to South Africa's Nobel Peace Quartet
Nobel Square
The Nobel Square
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
Soweto's Vilikazi Street is the only road to have housed 2 Nobel Peace laureates: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.
Nobel Square at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a celebration of South Africa's 4 Nobel Peace Prize winners. While our citizens have won many other Nobel Prizes, from literature to medicine, it is the peace laureates who so shaped our long walk to freedom.
The late Chief Albert Luthuli was born in 1898 and became ANC president in 1952, just when the worst aspects of apartheid policies were being implemented. It was also a difficult time within the organisation as competing groups tried to assert their influence.
During his presidency the ANC adopted the Freedom Charter, but split a few years later when elements refused to accept the inclusive nature of the organisation. Banned and jailed on numerous occasions, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1967.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born in Klerksdorp in 1931. He trained as a schoolteacher, but in 1958 decided to enter the ministry. A staunch opponent of apartheid, he was secretary-general of the South African Council of Churches when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Two years later he became the first black person to lead the Anglican Church in South Africa.
Then State President FW de Klerk and future president Nelson Mandela were joint recipients of the prize in 1993. De Klerk on 2 February 1990 unbanned the ANC and numerous other organisations; freed Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners; and entered negotiations for a new South Africa. They were honoured for their work in advancing democracy and reconciliation.
The statues of the 4 recipients, sculpted by artists Noria Mabasa and Claudette Schreuders, stand over Nobel Square facing Table Mountain. Nobel Square was opened on 16 December 2005, our Day of Reconciliation.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
V&A Waterfront
Tel: +27 (0) 21 408 7600
Email: info@waterfront.co.za
Website: www.waterfront.co.za
How to get here
There are taxis and buses that travel daily to the V&A Waterfront. There's plenty of parking available for those with their own transport.
Around the area
Robben Island is 30 minutes away by ferry. You can also explore the beaches at Sea Point or visit the Castle of Good Hope, District Six Museum or Two Oceans Aquarium nearby.
What will it cost
Access to the square is free
Length of stay
Half a day to explore the Nobel Square and the V&A Waterfront.
What to pack
Winter is the rainy season, so don't forget the umbrella or raincoat.
Where to stay
The V&A Waterfront has a number of luxury hotels. Cape Town itself has a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes.
What to eat
There are a great variety of quality restaurants at the V&A Waterfront. Seafood is a particularly good choice in this part of South Africa.