Go back in History with a visit to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.

There was a warrant for his arrest, but Nelson Mandela evaded capture for 17 months. However, the police were tipped off, and on 5 August 1962, he was captured. The “Nelson Mandela Capture Site” commemorates that event.

From 1961 to 1962, Mandela was organizing. His days included sabotaging the government, holding secret meetings with journalists, a mass stay-at-home strike, traveling to other countries to request support for the ANC, etc.

While he was in South Africa, he was hiding in Rivonia (Johannesburg), and to move from place to place, he was posing as a chauffeur for Cecil Williams, a communist activist.

He was on his way from Durban back to Johannesburg when he was captured. Today, the capture site is a visitor center. There is also a shape-shifting sculpture to mark the site of Mandela’s arrest.

The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is also a museum that commemorates Mandela’s life story, focussing on the time of his arrest and his subsequent 27-year prison sentence.

The Nelson Mandela Capture Site - What To Expect

The Nelson Mandela sculpture was created by Marco Cianfanelli and Jeremy Rose. It is made of 50 steel columns. It was installed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mandela’s arrest.

When viewed from just the right angle, the sculpture reveals the face of Mandela. However, if you change position, the image disappears and you see only steel columns.

There is a fee to enter and they do offer discounts and group rates. They also offer specials. For example, pensioners get half off on Wednesday.

To get their prices and opening hours (which are subject to change), check the Nelson Mandela Capture site before you plan to go.

The museum is on the R50 (name of the road). It is close by to the N3 and Howick/Pietermaritzburg. You can make your own way there, or you can take a guided tour (from Durban).

If you have a deep interest in South African history, you will enjoy this. It is a thoughtful and humbling experience. However, if you have little or no interest in the struggle, you may feel that apart from the magnificent sculpture, there is not much to see at the site.

If you were planning to drive between Johannesburg and Durban, do stop by. Anyone who has an opportunity to see and experience it, really should. However, if history is not your thing, you may not think it is worthy of your time—says the mom who appreciated it, but whose 5 children didn’t. The site is approximately 1h23 minutes from Durban.

If you truly want to experience the legacy of apartheid, make your way to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

What you can expect from the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

LOVE THIS POST? SHARE IT...

TAGS:

Nelson Mandela

September 2023

October

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU

28
29
30
31
1
2
3

4
5
6
7
8
9
10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17

18
19
20
21
22
23
24 Heritage Day (National Holiday) Heritage Day (National Holiday) All Day His his speech marking South Africa’s first Heritage day, President Nelson Mandela said: When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation. W , ...

25
26
27
28
29
30
1

Want to have your business or product featured?

We’re always looking for awesome places, products, activities, restaurants, travel accessories, or anything else that promotes the rich and colorful culture of South Africa.

Sale

Ceptics South Africa Travel Plug Adapter (Type M) - 3 Pack [Grounded & Universal] (GP-10L-3PK)

Small Travel Size - 3 Pack
Standard: Type M plug, South Africa CEE 7/16. Grounded 3-Prong plug.
Accepts plugs from all countries including USA.
New conductivity design - internal metal interfaces provides better Conductivity
Grounded 3 Round Prong plug. Max Capacity Up to 3000 Watt (max 250 Volt, 13 A)

Sale

Money Belt for Men Travel Security Belt with Hidden Money Compartment Pocket, Cashsafe Anti-Theft Wallet Non-Metal Buckle

PATENT PENDING ; (🔥 KEEP YOUR CASH HIDDEN FROM YOUR WIFE / GF!🔥 ) Travel Security Money Belt
🔒 BYE BYE PICKPOCKETS 💵 - DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL TSA 🧳 - keep your cash safe from pickpockets; equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered...
💪 DURABLE - Made with Premium YKK Zipper with reinforced non-slip buckle, Adjustable wear-resisting nylon materia for waist sizes 26 to 42 inches....
✅ Easy access and storage; quickly stash and remove your bills, coins, and keys with ease
✅ NOT JUST A NORMAL BELT - It is a Long-lasting companion; made of premium quality top-grade webbing, YKK zipper, and a reinforced buckle; this...

TRAVELREST Nest Memory Foam Travel Pillow/Neck Pillow - Advanced Neck Support for Long Flights - Patented Design for Optimal Relaxation - Long Travel - Unmatched Sleep - Machine Washable - Blue

OPTIMAL SLEEP IN THE SKIES - TOP AIRPLANE NECK PILLOW FOR 2018 - 2023: ENDORSED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES WIRECUTTER. After undergoing multiple...
SLEEP INNOVATION: The Travelrest Ultimate shines with its distinctively angled back that stays flat against the seat, ensuring impeccable...
REVITALIZE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: Engineered with thermo-sensitive memory foam, our flight pillow delivers optimal support for neck, shoulder, and...
EFFORTLESS RELAXATION EVERYWHERE YOU GO: Our neck pillow is your ultimate companion for long flights, car trips, train journeys, buses, couch...
SEAMLESS TRAVEL CONVENIENCE, STYLISH CHOICES: Explore our flight pillow, featuring sophisticated gray and vibrant blue options. This package includes...

Sale

INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, External Phone Powerbank Compatible with iPhone 15 14 13 12 11 Samsung S22 S21 Google iPad etc

✅【From INIU--the SAFE Fast Charge Pro】Experience the safest charging with over 38 million global users. At INIU, we use only the highest-grade...
✅【Market's Thinnest 10000mAh】 The market’s one and only 0.5-inch power bank that breaks the limit of 10000mAh, easily slipped into any travel...
✅【Only 5% Got USB-C IN&OUT】INIU is the only 5% of power banks got a USB-C IN&OUT port. Unlike others only recharge via USB-C port, INIU can...
✅【3A High-Speed Charging】3A fast charging fuels iPhone up to 78% in just one hour. INIU's AutoFit identifies and meets your device's ideal...
✅【15-Layer SAFE Charging】INIU's unique 15-Layer SmartProtect system shrugs off any unusual charging at the start. Take overheating risk and...