KwaZulu Natal Tourist AttractionsNelson Mandela Capture Site
Where? The sculpture is 5 minutes from the N3 turnoff and is well signposted.
How? Call Museum Shop: +27 (0)71 834-4349
Overnight? Stay in Howick, in KwaZulu Natal
Nelson Mandela is the late former president of South Africa. But, he earned his acclaim based more on his efforts to establish racial, social and political equality in a South Africa that had been ravaged by the harmful effects of the Apartheid regime. The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is a cultural and historical exhibition that is situated at the site at which Nelson Mandela was apprehended for his anti-Apartheid activism acts in August 1952.
Mr Mandela had been travelling in disguise as the chauffeur of the car he drove, and was on the R103 road between Durban and Johannesburg. Apartheid police had been hunting Nelson Mandela down for 17 months and, as he passed along this stretch of road, they were finally able to capture and arrest him. This marked one of the most significant moments in the history of the Apartheid era, as well as the future of this country.
From the time of his incarceration, Nelson Mandela made great strides in awakening the consciousness of South Africans, and the world, to the inequalities and unfair treatment that was carrying on within the borders of this great land.
The monument in honour of Nelson Mandela and his efforts is a dramatic representation of the multi-faceted influences and the nature of a single human being that had an enormous effect on the identity of a nation. It was created by Marco Cianfanelli and Jeremy Rose, who collaborated on this magnificent project.
The sculpture at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site comprises 50 steel columns that are between six and 9.5 metres in height and cover a width of almost 30 metres. These have been cut by laser to form an image of the former president when viewed at the correct angle. The columns line up so that, at a specific angle, they create what seems to be a two-dimensional image of Mr Mandela. So dramatic is the effect that it can be seen from 30 metres away. This monument is situated at the end of a winding path, which represents the long walk to freedom that he took towards his goal of political equality.
As the sun changes its position above the monument, the effect of the tall beams on the ground also changes. This is the largest artwork using this methodology of laser-cut metal beams in the country.
In the near future, the uMngeni Municipality has formal plans to establish an amphitheatre, theatre, museum and arts and crafts centre at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. This will uplift the local community, creating more job opportunities, and will promote tourism to this part of the beautiful Natal Midlands.
The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is open from Monday to Sunday, 09h00 to 16h00
