Cape Town, Politics, Traveling

Visiting The Long Walk March To Freedom Sculptures

Posted by nikkidiscovers on

The long walk to freedom is the title of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first democratic president. He spent 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. The Long March to Freedom includes a sculpture of Nelson Mandela. And sculptures of other remarkable freedom fighters who contributed to South Africa’s democracy. I loved how big the sculptures were. The plaques are really informative. And you get to walk amongst the sculptures, making the experience feel interactive even though it isn’t really. It’s a great way to learn about the history of South Africa and the apartheid struggle.

It’s also a wonderful outdoor activity, as the sculptures are located on an open patch of grass in Century City, Cape Town. This makes it a COVID-friendly activity because there’s lots of social distance and fresh air. You do have to wear a mask to enter, sanitise your hands, and keep your mask on throughout.

Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Steve Biko who was the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement. He died whilst in police custody during the apartheid era.

The sculptures are beautifully designed. The exhibit also spans a lengthy time period, starting from the 1700s, when chiefs fought against colonial oppression, to 1994, when South Africa became a democratic nation. Since I’m a political studies graduate and mad about history, I knew about the life stories of many of the people featured in the exhibit. What was awesome is that I still learnt lots of new information. And I especially loved the section dealing with leaders from the 1700s. The South African high school syllabus neglects that part of our history.

Klaas Stuurman a chief who fought against colonial occupation
Klaas’s brother continued his fight after he died
The view from back to front of the exhibit

I visited on Freedom Day, April 27, 2021. This is the day the first South African democratic elections were held in 1994. The day is a public holiday, and in honour of the day, the exhibit was free for anyone who visited on the day. One of the best parts of the experience was seeing how many children were enjoying the exhibit and reading the plaques. But the best part was seeing my boyfriend enjoy visiting after having to drag him to go with me 😂

He didn’t want to go and then he had more fun than I did 😂

This exhibit is beautiful and really honours freedom fighters. There’s a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., amongst all the South African heroes. The Long March to Freedom has a great website as well. You can click on each statue and learn more about each person. It also shows the information about each of the talented sculptors, which is pretty cool. It’s not the same as walking around and seeing the sculptures in person, but if you aren’t able to visit, this is a great way to learn about South Africa’s freedom struggle. Read more here: www.nhmsa.co.za/sculptures.html.

How to get to The Long March to Freedom

  • After Sable Road, take the Century Drive Offramp
  • At the traffic lights turn left
  • Take your next left

Admission fees

SA citizens and permanent residents pay R20 and International visitors pay R75.

Find out more here :https://www.longmarchtofreedom.co.za/Home/Bookings

Visiting Hours

Mon to Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Sun 08:00 to 16:00

Are there guided tours?

Yes there are guided tours offered everyday from 10:00am to 16:00pm

Contact details

For more information or group bookings info@longmarchtofreedom.co.za

Where can I buy tickets?

You can buy your ticket at the gate; they accept cash and cards. You can also book a ticket here.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to comment. I really love hearing from my readers. Take care

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Published by nikkidiscovers

I'm a Cape Town-based Social Media Specialist/ Researcher privileged to have received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, which took me on an enriching journey across Europe. From the streets of Paris to the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, the historical charm of Brussels, and the cultural tapestry of Athens —each destination left an indelible mark on my perspective. Now back in Cape Town, I am eager to share not only my international escapades but also the allure of my beloved hometown. My writing weaves together travel with an eclectic mix of themes—from political insights and sustainable fashion to delectable local cuisines and hidden gems of Cape Town. Expect lively narratives that blend fun anecdotes with thought-provoking explorations of current affairs and policy discussions. Join me on this captivating journey where every article is a passport to discovery. Let's discover together!