The Nelson Mandela Capture Site has received much-needed infrastructure upgrades ahead of the December holiday rush.
In August 1962, the late president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was arrested at a roadblock near Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. He would go on to serve 27 years in prison on Cape Town’s Robben Island.
To honour Madiba’s legacy, the famous Capture Site sculpture and accompanying visitor centre were established in December 2019, near the spot where he was arrested. Unfortunately, poor accessibility discouraged tourists from visiting the site.
NELSON MANDELA CAPTURE SITE: ACCESS ISSUES
In a recent interview with IOL, operations manager Thuli Mtolo relayed how visitors – particularly international tourists – found it difficult to access the site.
“Many tourists struggled to find the entrance,” Mtolo explained. “Previously, the site was mostly supported by domestic visitors. International tourists used to hear about us through word of mouth, but it didn’t translate into big numbers.”
To improve accessibility and thus increase site visits, infrastructural construction began in March this year.
UPGRADES FOR THE BETTER
Many of the upgrades are now fully operational at the Capture Site and visitor centre. These include:
- A new access road, complete with better parking.
- Improved walkways.
- Modernised exhibition panels.
- A gatehouse.
- Modernised stormwater systems.
“This renovation shows our dedication to honouring Madiba while making the site more accessible and engaging for everyone who comes to learn about our history,” remarked eThekwini Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi, as per Timeless News.
“We want more people to experience the story of our nation’s struggle first-hand.”
Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, who chairs the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, lauded the economic benefits that were to be reaped from these refurbishments.
“The Capture Site is a cornerstone of KwaZulu-Natal’s heritage tourism,” Dr Ndebele said. “By upgrading these facilities, we are not only honouring Mandela, but also creating jobs and boosting the local economy as visitors flock to the site this summer.”
WILL YOU VISIT THE NELSON MANDELA CAPTURE SITE THIS SEASON?
Other upgrades are currently underway. In the meantime, more and more folks from within South Africa and across the pond are coming to see the Capture Site and take in the exhibitions at the visitor centre.
All in all, it promises to be a prosperous season for the site and the surrounding community. What’s more, it’s an enriching way to learn about – and learn from – the illustrious legacy that Mandela left behind.
