Nelson Mandela was South Africa's most iconic leader. We may have lost him in 2013 but his memory still lives on in the legacy he left for us and the sites that have been erected in his memory. The Nelson Mandela Capture Site just outside Howick in KwaZulu Natal is one of them. Visiting these sites is important because they remind us of the sacrifices that Madiba made for us and inspire us to stand up for our beliefs. I visited the site with my family.
“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” Nelson Mandela
The 5th of August 1962 was a significant day in South Africa's history. Nelson Mandela was finally captured on this day by apartheid police after being on the run for 16-17 months. He was pretending to be a chauffeur to his comrade Cecil Williams who was accompanying him.
They had just paid a clandestine visit to ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli in Groutville to report back on Madiba’s activities in the preceding months, when police flagged him down on this lonely country road and arrested him. This arrest was one of several that eventually led to the Rivonia Treason Trial and his imprisonment for 27 years.
The site was officially unveiled on 5 August 2012 by President Jacob Zuma, on the 50th anniversary of the capture. It consists of a museum commemorating Madiba's life and his transformation from a school boy to a freedom fighter, prisoner and President. This is followed by a walk to the monument, aptly titled the Long Walk to Freedom. There is also a shop and a café, titled Truth Café, on the premises. The site was being upgraded while we were there and construction was taking place.
The actual monument is an impressive work of art constructed by South African artist Marco Cianfanelli. It is made up of 50 steel columns between 6 and 10 metres high, strategically arranged next to each other. They look like a random collection of columns until you get to the footpath 35 metres away when Madiba's profile facing West magically appears - against the backdrop of the rolling hills and valleys of the Kwazulu Natal Midlands. As you get even closer to the monument, the columns once again dissolve into a forest.
Looking at the profile, the events of that fateful day in 1962 came flooding back to me and I was reminded of Madiba’s bravery and courage and what he had to endure to bring freedom to South Africa.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. – Nelson Mandela
To get to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site from Johannesburg, you need to take the Tweedie Road turn-off near Howick, on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg. Turn right on the R103. The sculpture is 5 minutes from the N3 turnoff and is well signposted.
You can also follow the directions to the Mandela Monument on the GPS.
For more information and current prices, go to The Capture Site.
See more Nelson Mandela sites in South Africa.
To learn more about South Africa's journey to freedom, visit Liliesleaf Farm and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
Click here to find accommodation in Howick.
Have you been to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site ? What are your thoughts?
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Nelson Mandela
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
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Thanks for the excellent post
Thanks, it's very informative
Thank you Jamal. I'm glad you found it informative.