The life and times of Nelson Mandela

This month marks 30 years since the father of our nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela set foot on land in a free and democratic South Africa. With all that he has done for the country and its people, it’s only fitting to celebrate his life in the lush suburb of Sandton City.

Luzuko Koti from the Nelson Mandela Foundation explained why Mandela My Life: The Official Exhibition is so important, even 30 years later. “It’s an opportune time now to watch this exhibition given that Madiba was released from prison 30 years ago. This year is the anniversary of his release from prison and I do think that has sparked an element of hope again South Africans.”

The global exhibition tells the tale of Madiba’s extraordinary life. Brought to you by The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Richmark holdings, his life is eloquently displayed from his time in prison all through his last days on earth.

On arrival at the exhibition in Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City, you are greeted by a dark room to help you experience the way Madiba felt while on trial for treason during the apartheid era. Scared and alone as you move on to a brighter room, a sound clip of Mandela’s voice plays in the background telling the tale of his childhood in the Eastern Cape.

With a rich selection of personal artefacts, you get to know Mandela on an almost personal level. At an exclusive launch on 20 February, former minister of finance Trevor Manuel said, “Madiba didn’t live by accident, he lived a life of purpose and that purpose was prevalent in everything he did. I’m sure that in the exhibition if everything can’t be displayed, the least it must do is to draw us back to the centre of memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Everything was part of the history of our people and part of the history of the struggle and that is why this exhibition is as important,” said Manuel.

And the exhibition does just that – it takes you on a journey that you feel you were a part of. From his hand-written letters to the stationery he used to pen them.

With such beautiful penmanship, his handwriting has been turned into its own font. Each letter carefully analysed, the Nelson Mandela handwriting font can be seen throughout the exhibition with quotes Tata once said.

The depth of culture, character and resistance are evident in the names of each phase. Koti explained, “What is important about the story being told here is that Mandela lived a full life. Elements that we all relate to such as childhood and adolescence – he was of the youth in SA he was an activist, lawyer and politician. He spent time in prison, different prisons Pollsmoor, Robben Island and Victor Verster Prison for 27 years collectively and I think that’s the story we are trying to elaborate with this exhibition.”

He added that when Mandela passed, he left an immeasurable legacy but one South Africans need to try and emulate. “It’s a story that will always be important to South Africa because history and memory is an important aspect of building blocks towards a particular future, a future that we dreamt about in 1994. A dream we had at that time, it’s important to use this kind of history to look and measure as to whether or not we’ve been able to come near that dream and I think this exhibition gives us this opportunity.”

The Mandela My Life: The Official Exhibition is open from 26 February to 20 July 2020 at Nelson Mandela Square, upper level, 5th Street, Sandton.