Following his release from prison, Mandela again made Joburg his home. In the days following his death in 2013, the world's leaders converged on the city to pay their respects to this most inspirational man. Each year on July 18, Nelson Mandela's birthday, the world marks Mandela Day to celebrate his contribution towards the struggle for freedom and equality by volunteering 67 minutes of service.
We have compiled a list of notable sites worth visiting for those who wish to delve deeper into the profoundly moving history of South Africa's first democratically elected president.
Mandela sites
ALEXANDRAAlexandra, a vibrant township in Johannesburg, holds a significant place in South African history. Nelson Mandela once lived in Alexandra, and his former house, though not open to the public, remains an important landmark. Visitors can view the house from outside as part of a tour. For an immersive experience, we recommend a tour with Imbizo Tours, who offer guided excursions in both Soweto and Alexandra. If you're keen to walk in Nelson Mandela's footsteps through Johannesburg, this is a visit worth making.
APARTHEID MUSEUM
One of South Africa's best museums, the extensive collection at the Apartheid Museum provides context for Mandela's efforts to establish a free and democratic South Africa. The museum strives to show the bitter realities of the apartheid system from many angles, making a visit an unforgettable, thought-provoking, and at times difficult, but highly educational experience. The museum also hosts focused temporary exhibitions.
CHANCELLOR HOUSE AND SHADOWBOXING STATUE
From this building in the City Centre, called Chancellor House, lawyers Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo ran the city's first black-owned legal practice. The building has since been transformed into an open-air museum. Opposite Chancellor House, in front of the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, stands an impressive statue erected in 2013 of a young Mandela shadowboxing. This statue, our favourite Mandela statue, was created by sculptor Marco Cianfanelli and inspired by a famous photograph taken by Drum photographer Bob Gosani of Mandela sparring with Jerry Moloi on a City Centre rooftop. Mandela's words are etched along the statue's plinth: 'In the ring, rank, age, colour, and wealth are irrelevant.'
CITY SIGHTSEEING RED BUS
A great way to see many of the city's key sights in one day, the City Sightseeing Red Bus is a hop-on hop-off experience that takes you through Joburg's historic, leafy suburbs and stops at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Sanctuary Mandela – a boutique hotel that offers an authentic Presidential Suite experience. The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is a publicly accessible archive of Mandela's work in obtaining social justice and the struggle for freedom. The centre is only two blocks away from his final home on 4th Street in Houghton and hosts temporary exhibitions of his contributions to the freedom of South Africa.
CONSTITUTION HILL – THE OLD FORT
Nelson Mandela was briefly imprisoned in the Old Fort at Constitution Hill after his arrest in 1956 on charges of treason. Mandela and 155 other key activists were detained in the Fort's communal cells, an experience that Mandela quipped in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, was "the largest and longest unbanned meeting of the Congress Alliance in years".
The entire prison complex was converted into a museum after the end of apartheid, and the area is named after the modern South African Constitutional Court, which is also situated here. The cell that Mandela occupied inside the Old Fort building now houses a permanent exhibition detailing his experiences of imprisonment on Constitution Hill and Robben Island. The exhibition is complemented by original copies of his prison diaries and excerpts from his manuscript for the iconic book Long Walk to Freedom. Constitution Hill also features a Gandhi Mandela Exhibition, consisting of four spaces with imagery of Mandela and Indian pacifist and advocate of non-violent resistance Mahatma Gandhi at various stages of their lives.
NELSON MANDELA BRIDGE
This landmark piece of architecture, linking Braamfontein to Newtown, is a physical reminder of Nelson Mandela in Joburg. After years of vandalism and neglect, the Nelson Mandela Bridge became a key project of Jozi My Jozi in 2023, a private-sector coalition dedicated to restoring dignity to the City Centre. Post-Covid-19, the area faced significant challenges, including a mass exodus of businesses, poor infrastructure, and a growing cycle of homelessness. Jozi My Jozi has been making progress, and in March 2024, the newly restored solar lights were switched on for the first time in years. The bridge is now fully lit, monitored by security, and its glass barriers have been restored. However, we recommend visiting only during planned city events. Read more about Jozi My Jozi here.
NELSON MANDELA CENTRE OF MEMORY
A small museum and archive, run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is dedicated to Mandela's life and legacy and is located just a short walk from his final home on 4th Avenue in Houghton. The exhibitions include personal items such as his diaries and Nobel Prize, offering insights into his life history. Visitors can also see the office from which Mandela worked after retiring from politics. Visits are by appointment only.
SANCTUARY MANDELA
Once home to Madiba from 1994 to 1999, Sanctuary Mandela has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel that pays homage to the respected statesman. Inside, the hotel features images and archives that detail the life and legacy of the former president. Now owned and operated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Sanctuary offers visitors a glimpse into how he spent his days during his presidential term. The restaurant's menu was created by Mandela's personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya, providing guests the opportunity to taste the foods he enjoyed most after his release from prison. A copy of her cookbook also makes a wonderful gift or keepsake.
SAXON HOTEL
It would be remiss not to mention one of the most significant moments in Nelson Mandela's legacy: the writing of his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The book details the intimate events, experiences, and thoughts that shaped the former president during his formative years in politics and his journey toward South Africa's freedom. While writing the book, Mandela stayed as a guest at the home of South African billionaire businessman Douw Steyn, which is now the Saxon Hotel. Mandela's legacy is so integral to the Saxon that one of the suites is named after him. If you’re interested in combining history and luxury, we recommend booking afternoon tea at the hotel, which offers the opportunity to view artwork created by artist Dean Simon. Titled Foresight and Hindsight: The Five Faces of Mandela, these pieces are prominently displayed throughout the establishment.
SOWETO
Probably the most famous street in all of Soweto, Vilakazi Street boasts the home addresses of two Nobel Prize-winning residents – Nelson Mandela (who lived here with his then-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in the late 1950s and early 1960s) and former Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Soweto home that Mandela shared with Winnie before he was sentenced to life in prison is now a small museum filled with various memorabilia belonging to the pair, including letters, gifts, awards, and some items of original furniture. It's a hugely popular tourist attraction.
Mandela tours
Several tour companies offer walking tours themed around Joburg's struggle history. These tours provide an in-depth look at the places where Nelson Mandela and other South African heroes, such as Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo, worked and lived. They are an excellent way to learn more about Joburg's vital role in the country's long walk to freedom. Recommended guides include Joburg 360, MicroAdventure Tours, Tour Soweto, and JoburgPlaces.
Mandela artworks
Johannesburg boasts a generous collection of statues and artworks of Nelson Mandela, each representing a different time in his life. One notable piece is an incredible metal sculpture titled Shadow Boxing, located on Fox Street. Created by artist Marco Cianfanelli, it faces Chancellor House, the former home of Mandela & Tambo Attorneys. The sculpture depicts a young Mandela in boxing attire, with clenched fists ready to jab at his opponent. This artwork not only highlights his passion for boxing as a sport but also symbolises his lifelong fight for freedom.As you travel along the M2 highway into the heart of Doornfontein (Staib Street), you'll catch a glimpse of a stunning nine-story mural of Mandela on a face-brick building. Created by Ricky Lee Gordon, this mural also depicts Mandela as a boxer, inspired by a famous photo by Bob Gosani. It's a beautiful image to capture for any street art lover looking to gain a sense of the city.
In Braamfontein, you'll be struck by the immense portrait of Mandela by Shepard Fairey, who is best known for his Hope graphic used for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Titled The Purple Shall Govern, it looks across the city from Juta Street.
One of the most popular statues of Nelson Mandela in Joburg is located at Nelson Mandela Square shopping centre in Sandton. We think it bears the least resemblance to the great man, but that makes it no less popular with thousands of tourists who visit the square annually to have their photograph taken with it. This is also a good place to seek out mementos and souvenirs. Find your way to the Presidential Shirt, which stocks many versions of the famous shirts favored by Mandela.
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