Happy Mandela Day!
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Nelson Mandela Image at the Hector Pieterson Museum
Today is Mandela Day – the 94th birthday of the man himself, and a symbolic day when everyone around the world should stop and remember what has been achieved in South Africa – as well as what is yet to be achieved. All over South Africa in honour of Mandela Day people are donating their time and energy to good causes, but what can we tourists do to show our support?
The South African tourist board have compiled this list of 10 ways we can contribute to and be part of Mandela Day. The list includes visiting South Africa, being a responsible tourist, and going on a township tour.
I will always remember visiting Mandela House as part of my day touring Soweto. Understandably many tourists have concerns and moral questions around taking township tours – we want to make sure our visit has a positive impact and we’d like to see any money we donate go straight into the pockets of those who need it.
In the end my day in Soweto was probably the single biggest highlight of my trip to South Africa, without it I don’t think I could have even begun to understand what makes the country tick and my experience of the Rainbow Nation would have been so much poorer.
So, here are a few images from my trip to the Mandela House. I hope they will inspire you to visit Johannesburg and Soweto yourself one day (and if you do you should stay here!) so you can experience the humble home of one of the world’s greatest leaders firsthand.
Happy Mandela Day!
Oh, and while you’re looking at the photos, have a listen to this track, Mr Mandela…
Tags: Johannesburg, Mandela House, Nelson Mandela, South Africa, Soweto
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