Following Mandela’s footsteps across Pretoria
Many cities around the world would like to claim that they have experienced some Madiba Magic. Here in Pretoria we have been privileged to have felt his presence too, both as struggle hero and as Father of the Nation.
Text and photos by Charl Steenkamp
Pretoria, and the world, witnessed Nelson Mandela being inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president at the Union Buildings on 10 May 1994. It was also here that over 100 000 people came to pay their respects to him after his passing on 5th of December 2013.
Nelson Mandela experienced many significant moments in Pretoria, both good and bad. The city bore witness to him being trialled, sentenced and imprisoned but it was also in Pretoria where he negotiated peace, led the nation through the first years of democracy and played an integral part in reconciling the people of South Africa.
Some of Nelson Mandela’s best speeches and quotes were made in Pretoria and his presence in the city has had a profound impact on the way Pretoria has transformed over the years. Below we highlight some of these moments:
Following Nelson Mandela’s footsteps across Pretoria
- 1958 to 1961 – Old Synagogue: Treason Trial
- 1962 – Imprisonment at Pretoria Local Prison
- 1963 to 1964 – Palace of Justice: Rivonia Trial
- 1990 to 1993 – Presidency: Negotiating peace and the Pretoria Minute
- 1994 to 1999 – Union Buildings: Inauguration and Presidency
- 1999 to 2013 – Various public appearances during retirement
- 2013 – Mediclinic Heart Hospital: Illness and hospitalisation
- 2013 – Union Buildings: Laying in state
- Legacy and monuments of Nelson Mandela in Pretoria
Old Synagogue: The Treason Trial (1958 – 1961)
Nelson Mandela’s introduction to Pretoria was not a very positive one. He and most of the ANC Executive were being trialled for “high treason” against the state and in 1958 the venue for the trial was changed from Johannesburg to Pretoria. Mandela and his co-accused had to commute to Pretoria in a “bus with stiff wooden slats for seats” every morning which took two hours to reach the court.
The Treason Trial took place at the Old Synagogue in Paul Kruger Street that had been converted into a court of law. The trial dragged on for five years and Nelson Mandela and all the co-accused were eventually found not guilty. However during this time he was also arrested under the State of Emergency Act and detained at Pretoria Local Prison.
Imprisonment at Pretoria Local Prison (1962)
Immediately after the Treason Trial, Nelson Mandela went underground and began organising the ANC’s new cell structure and a mass stay-at-home strike. A warrant for his arrest was issued and he was eventually arrested on 5 August 1962 near Howick and ended up back at Pretoria Local Prison.
His trial again took place at the Old Synagogue and Nelson Mandela was found guilty on charges of inciting people to strike and for leaving the country without a passport. He served part of his sentence at the Pretoria Local Prison before being transferred to Robben Island.
The Palace of Justice: Rivonia Trial (1963 – 1964)
Seven months after being sentenced Nelson Mandela was brought back to the Pretoria Local Prison. He and 9 other prominent ANC members were now charged with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the South African government.
Known as the Rivonia Trial, this is probably the most famous trial in South African history and took place at the Palace of Justice in Church Square.
It was here, even though Nelson Mandela was facing the death penalty, that he said the famous lines:
(source: www.nelsonmandela.org)I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment and spend 27 years in prison.
Presidency: Negotiating peace and the Pretoria Minute (1990 – 1993)
After (and even before) his release from prison, Nelson Mandela engaged in talks with the government on how to end the struggle. He met with President FW De Klerk on many occasions to discuss solutions to the ongoing political violence. One such an occasion was called the “Pretoria Minute”, where many key principles and a way forward to negations were agreed upon between the ANC, government and other parties. It was held on 6 August 1990 at the Presidency in Pretoria.
During the time of negotiations and the formation of an interim government Nelson Mandela continued to travel, engage and give public speeches all over the world. Among these was a visit to the University of Pretoria on 29 April 1991. He spoke in both English and Afrikaans about his goals for South Africa and the proposed establishment of an interim government.
Union Buildings: Inauguration and Presidency (1994 – 1999)
On 10 May 1994 Rolihlahla Nelson Dalibunga Mandela was inaugurated as President of a democratic South Africa, after competing in elections as leader of the ANC. The inauguration was held at the Union Buildings and was witnessed by over two billion people from around the globe. Pretoria saw the then largest gathering of heads of state ever in the country, while thousands of South Africans came to Pretoria to attend the event. It is here where he concluded his inauguration speech with the following:
(source: www.mandela.gov.za)Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! God bless Africa! Thank you.
Nelson Mandela served for one term as President of South Africa. While in Pretoria, he lived at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the official Residence for the President of the Republic of South Africa. It’s situated on the Bryntirion Estate near the Union Buildings and was renamed in 1995 from Libertas. Mahlamba Ndlopfu means “the new dawn”.
During his presidency Nelson Mandela made many public appearances in Pretoria. Among them was the memorable appearance at Loftus Versfeld when the Springboks hosted England on 4 June 1994, barely a month after becoming president. The moment is portrayed in the Clint Eastwood movie Invictus and is just another example of Nelson Mandela’s commitment to reconciliation.
Various public appearances during retirement (1999 – 2013)
When Nelson Mandela retired from the Presidency he continued with his busy public life, meeting with world leaders and celebrities on issues ranging from global peace and the fight against HIV/Aids. He also continued his work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.
In 2004, Nelson Mandela officially retired from public life but did not retreat from working for the good of the world. His engagement with Pretoria also did not end. Among the many public appearances were a visit to Loftus Versfeld in 2008 for his 90th birthday bash and Freedom Park in 2009. Nelson Mandela served as the pioneer of the concept of Freedom Park. In 1999 he said the following:
The day should not be far off when we shall have a people’s shrine, a freedom park, where we shall honour, with all the dignity they deserve, those who endured pain so we should experience the joy of freedom.”
Mediclinic Heart Hospital: Illness and hospitalisation (2013)
On 9 June 2013 Nelson Mandela (aged 95) was admitted to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria due to a recurring lung infection. His condition was serious and for 87 days the world watched and prayed. Journalist from across the globe camped outside, walls of flowers and cards lined the street and people from all walks of life came to pay their respects and wished him well. He was eventually discharged to his home in Houghton, in Johannesburg, where he continued to receive intensive care.
Laying in state at the Union Buildings (2013)
Nelson Mandela passed away on the 5th of December 2013 at his home in Houghton. In the week that followed the whole of South Africa went into mourning. As a sign of how revered he was, Embassies in Pretoria joined the world in half-masting their flags.
The City of Tshwane and National Defence Force pulled out all the stops to honour and pay respect to Nelson Mandela. During the mourning period his remains were transported daily between 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane, and the Union Buildings where for three days his body lay in state during the day (11 to 13 December). The daily procession left at 07:00 and the public lined the streets to form a guard of honour.
At the Union Buildings approximately 100 000 people queued and made their way through the amphitheatre to pay their respects to him, this included heads of State and celebrities.
Legacy and monuments of Nelson Mandela in Pretoria
- On 16 December 2013, a 9-metre high bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was erected at a central position within the southern lawns of the Union Buildings. This impressive statue shows Madiba embracing South Africa and is a must-see to any visitor to Pretoria.
- The amphitheatre at the Union Buildings where he lay in state and where he was inaugurated is now called the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.
- Pretoria also has two streets named after him, namely Nelson Mandela Drive and Madiba Street.
Related articles:
- The Union Buildings
- Church Square
- Freedom Park
- Pretoria’s must-see museums
- Prominent statues in Pretoria