If you find yourself in Johannesburg, you’ll probably also find yourself visiting some Nelson Mandela-inspired tourist attractions. Located in Soweto, Mandela House is just that – Nelson Mandela’s former house that he shared both with his first wife and then Winnie, his second wife.
Mandela House is fairly unassuming and the lines to get in are the only thing that really points it out to you from the street as there’s a large wall around it. Because the museum is so small, they operate a one-in, one-out policy which means that lines may be long depending on how many people are there and how long each spends inside.
The small house has some original furniture which is something I’ve never understood people’s fascination with. The furniture here isn’t much different than the furniture anywhere else in the world. He had a bed and a kitchen table and a comfy chair and all the usual household goodies of the time in Soweto. Maybe we’re supposed to be shocked at how simply he lived… I’m not sure. There are a lot of certificates and awards in cases all around the house that are more interesting to me.
There are also a couple of videos of neighbours describing some of the major events that had taken place in the area and in the lives of the Mandelas. It’s interesting to hear the stories from a neighbour and friend’s perspective. I suppose Mandela House is an important stop on the Nelson Mandela tourist trail but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to come here.
Details
- Nelson Mandela House is located in Soweto and entry costs R##.
