Walking in Madiba’s footsteps: the visitor journey
A series of immersive zones takes visitors on a journey of Nelson Mandela’s remarkable life.
- Learn more about Madiba’s beginnings in the rural Transkei, steeped in Xhosa tradition
- Experience the turbulent struggle against apartheid – and why it had to be defeated
- Be transported to Robben Island to witness monotony of daily life and the pain of separation from loved ones
- Celebrate his liberation and his historic term as South Africa’s first black president, ‘Father of South Africa’, and a globally loved and respected figure
- Reflect on his passing after a lifetime of service to others: what is his legacy and how can we all adopt some ‘Madiba values’ in our daily lives to be part of that legacy?
The earlies known photograph of Nelson Mandela from when he was 19 years old. Mayibuye
Preparing for the Rivonia Trial. Eli Weinberg, UWC-Robben-Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Letter to his son sent from Robben Island.
Scenes on the way to victory in the 1994 South African Election. Getty
Zone 1: Meeting Mandela
An introductory multimedia presentation offers an overview of Madiba’s life and times, serving as a preview of the exhibition. It sets the tone by reminding visitors of the evils of the apartheid government and then quickly walks through Nelson Mandela’s accomplishments from a freedom fighter to president and humanitarian.
Thembu beaded pipe.
Zone 2: Early Years (1918–1941)
Learn about the people and places – Mvezo, Qunu and Mqhekezweni – that shaped Madiba as a child and a young man, and the roles these places played in defining his personality, philosophy and style of leadership.
- Be immersed in the Transkei landscape and explore a typical rondavel
- Witness Nelson Mandela’s family tree and be introduced to the people who raised him
- Gain a greater understanding of his rural beginnings as a farm boy via rarely-seen artefacts from his childhood homes, many never publicly displayed until now
Jacket Nelson Mandela and his cousin Justice shared while attending school at Fort Hare. On loan from Chief Zenomatho and the town of Mqhekezweni
Boys in the Transkei, South Africa. Keystone, Getty
Transkei, Igor Emmerich (I am not sure you can use this one. Would be great to use it as a background like we are in the exhibition.
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela
Zone 3: ‘The Struggle is My Life’ (1941–1964)
The making of Mandela – see Nelson Mandela’s transformation as lawyer and activist, a rising star in the ANC and a thorn in the side of the nationalist government. Also learn of the heavy cost of his defiance: the loss of family and liberty that would profoundly affect him for the rest of his life. Nelson Mandela made a defining life choice – to do what he believed was right, no matter what the consequences, even at the risk of sacrificing his own life.
- Experience of life under apartheid – the oppressive impact of racism and segregation on daily life
- Witness resistance and retaliation – key moments in the growing struggle
- Listen to Nelson Mandela’s own words from the Rivonia Trial
- Think about ‘What would you do’? Nelson Mandela was prepared to die for his cause if necessary. What are you prepared to do for a cause?
UWC-Robben-Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Typical sign from the apartheid era.
Trial Card from Rivonia. Supplied by Liliesleaf
Typical signage from the Apartheid era in South Africa. Getty
Nelson Mandela’s personal tennis racquet from Robben Island. On loan from Christo Brand
Zone 4: 10,000 Days: The Prison Years (1964–1990)
For many years a life in prison without hope of reprieve seemed to be Nelson Mandela’s fate. Explore how his personality and determination helped to shape and steer a particular culture on Robben Island. See how his determination and intellect set him apart, not just as one of the leaders of an outlawed freedom fighting movement, but as a man determined to show respect and kindness to all, and in doing so, encouraging others to engage and change.
- Be immersed in Robben Island prison
- Journey through a timeline of the struggle of his family and his nation in the “outside” world
- Enter into Nelson Mandela’s thoughts through a powerful video presentation of letters he wrote during his time in prison
- Marvel at artefacts from the prison years
Nelson Mandela’s Cutlery from Robben Island. On loan from Christo Brand
Nelson Mandela sewing clothes in the court yard on Robben Island. AP Images / Cloete Breytenbach/Daily Express London
Prisoners working in the court yard on Robben Island. (AP Images Cloete Breytenbach/Daily Express London)
“The challenge for every prisoner, particularly every political prisoner is how to survive prison intact, how to emerge from prison undiminished, how to conserve and even replenish one’s beliefs.” – Nelson Mandela
Zone 5: Freedom? (1990–1994)
Nelson Mandela may have appeared to be a free man the day he walked out of Victor Verster prison, but it was not his destiny to lead a quiet, normal life. What happened next was extraordinary. Realise just how close to the edge of total civil war South Africa was before the landmark ’94 election. As South Africa’s newly enfranchised population went to the polling stations, did anyone really know what freedom looked like? Did anyone have any real idea about what would happen next?
- See artefacts from this remarkable period, including Nelson Mandela’s treasured raincoat, Nobel Peace Prize and election campaign materials
- Experience a multimedia display of a country in crisis: South Africa on the brink of civil war
- Celebrate the watershed 1994 election through eyewitness accounts of this landmark moment in history
Tension and violence dominated the years between Nelson Mandela’s release from jail and the first democratic elections. Getty
Nobel peace prize
Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Nelson Mandela’s UN card. On loan from Zelda la Grange.
Personal note to Senator Govan Mbeki (on loan from Zelda la Grange)
Zone 6: Healing a Nation (1994–2013)
Re-examine Nelson Mandela’s presidency and the following retirement years – when he was anything but ‘retired’. This extraordinary chapter in his life is characterised by huge energy, the endless movement of international travel and his dedication and determination to fulfill his life’s mission. A mission he pursued even into his 90s, before age finally caught up with him.
Most of all, in this section witness Nelson Mandela’s remarkable capacity for forgiveness, to see the best in people while accepting their flaws.
- See Nelson Mandela’s Presidential suit, documents and Nelson Mandela shirts
- Explore filmed testimonials from some of the people who worked closely with him including FW de Klerk and Zelda La Grange, notable personalities like Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel, and family members including his grandson Chief Mandla Mandela
Relive Nelson Mandela’s ‘Iconic moments’ from SA Rugby World Cup to his meeting with Queen Elizabeth to his star-studded events to raise awareness of AIDS/HIV
“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” – Nelson Mandela