Cape town
Marketplace
More Information
DESCRIPTION
Join us for an immersive experience into South Africas past, present and future. Nelson Mandela, a true icon in South Africa, lived through the oppressive Apartheid regime, fought for freedom and ensured peace in South Africa when the government changed hands in 1994.
We will be visiting Langa, the oldest township in South Africa, where your local guide will take you to the Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre. Here you will learn about life in the township, support small business initiatives, visit arts and crafts stalls as well as take part in an African drumming session
We will head to the “Dompas” museum, where you will get an insight into what Apartheid meant for South Africans and how it affected daily life. Here you will get the chance to hear a talk from Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela's Former prison warder who later became a close friend. Truly a once in a life time opportunity to hear tales from Mandela's time in prison and the friendships he formed. Christo is the last link we have to Mandela and this is a rare opportunity to meet someone who was so close to him.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Local Guide - Local to Langa Township
Entrance Fee / Tickets - Dompas Museum entry
Walking Tour - Tour of Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre
Transportation - pick up and drop off at accommodation
Drumming session
Taste of local African beer and African snack
Christo Brand's book, "Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend". The cost is R300, please bring cash as there will be no card facilities for this purchase
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
You will have the opportunity to buy Christo Brand's book, Doing Life with Mandela: "My Prisoner, My Friend". The cost is R300, please bring cash as there will be no card facilities
There will be a light snack included and not lunch
HOST INTRO
In 1978 at the young age of 18 Christo Brand started his work as a prison guard on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was serving a life sentence. In 1982 Christo was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison; at the same time they moved Mandela and 3 others there. Christo was in charge of the Mandela group for the next 6 years. On Mandela’s release from prison, he arranged a job for Christo in his office; then at the constitutional assembly; and then in 1997 when Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site, Christo began working there. Christo and Mandela remained friends right until Mandela’s death in 2013 when Christo attended his funeral in Qunu as a guest of the Mandela family. Christo retired from Robben Island in July 2018 to pursue his story-telling full time.
Sugar will be your guide and is a local to Langa. She has a passion for Langa and wants to help build the community and help local entrepreneurs grow their business.
MINIMUM TO OPERATE
5 people
MAXIMUM CAPACITY
13 people
DEADLINE TO BOOK
8 days prior to the start of the experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Nation Reviews
Customer Reviews
Quite a lot is included in this experience and it's not just about Mandela! (although that was really really cool, Christo is a great storyteller!)
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about one of the townships, some ZA history as well as taste some unique foods! Thanks so much to Sugar, our amazing guide, she gave us some very personal stories that helped us to understand her people's culture. It's eye opening.
What an incredible opportunity to meet someone so close to Mandela. His stories are truly moving and you leave with a new found perspective and appreciation. Not many people can say theyve met someone so involved in Mandelas life
You get a chance to see a different part of cape town and try some local delicacies. If you want some culture experience, you'll want to do this!
You probably won't get the chance to speak to anyone else in Capetown that was as close of a friend to Mandela. Great to do before a Robin Island visit. His story is amazing and the meal is as good as any grandmas cooking you're going to get.
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