The Nelson Mandela Museum (NMM) is situated on the N2 highway in the city of Mthatha, in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
The Nelson Mandela Museum was established 10 years after the release of the former South African President Dr Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela in the year 2000. The foundational principles of the museum are centered on the iconic character and leadership ethos that Mr Mandela lived by.
The Nelson Mandela Museum is a Schedule 3 public entity and upholds and complies with all principles and objectives outlined by the Constitution and various Acts of the Republic of South Africa. Nelson Mandela Museum is legislated under the Cultural Institutions Act 119 of 1998 of the Republic of South Africa.
The Department of Arts and Culture now known as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) took his words to heart and pledged funding for the Nelson Mandela Museum as part of its series of national legacy projects that honour South Africa’s liberation heroes.
The Museum has embraced Nelson Mandela’s wishes that the museum must not be a static collection and tribute to him, but a living memorial to his values and vision, it must inspire and enrich all who visit it and serve as a catalyst and springboard for the upliftment and development not just for the people of Mthatha but to be utilised as a Gateway to the Incredible, unassuming combination of breath-taking coastline, precipitous and craggy cliff faces, wild and isolated beaches, quiet bays and green vegetation hills that rush headlong into deeply etched river valleys of the Wild Coast.
The Wild Coast extends between the Mtamvuna River in the north and the Great Kei River to the South.
The Nelson Mandela Museum operates in two sites; the Bhunga Building in Mthatha and the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
The museum at the Bhunga Building in Mthatha chronicles the life of South Africa’s iconic Former President, his struggle for democracy and the end of the apartheid regime. It offers a memorable cultural experience that gives insights into the life of Nelson Mandela, with guided tours and a heritage that follows his footprints. The Meaning of Mandela Exhibition: strips back the layers of his life to reveal him as a comrade, leader, prisoner, negotiator, and finally, a statesman.
The Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre, is a centre built in Qunu to serve as a catalyst for youth and community development. The Youth and Heritage Centre was officially opened in 2006 by President Nelson Mandela to reposition Nelson Mandela Museum as a centre that narrates the humble beginnings of Nelson Mandela. The sites of significance in the centre include a sliding stone where Madiba used to play with his peers, ruins of a rondel where he was named Nelson on his first day of school, a family grave site not far from the centre, a church where he was baptised and a residential place where he lies and buried.These sites will bring more activities during the operations in the centre.
The museum finds inspiration from a vision of wanting to inspire positive change in society through the legacy and values of the Nelson Mandela and the museum works every day to achieve this vision through promotion of social cohesion and nation building.
The values that guide individuals, teams and all those that visit the centre are: Ubuntu, stewardship, integrity, service excellence, development and learning, and innovation.
Nelson Mandela is loved and respected world-wide for his tireless energy to bring about a better life for all.
Vision
The vision of the Nelson Mandela Museum is an African museum that inspires positive change in society through the legacy and values of Nelson Mandela.
Mission
The mission of the Nelson Mandela Museum is to be a centre of excellence that preserves, documents, researches, disseminates knowledge and interprets the legacy and values of Nelson Mandela.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Dr S Potelwa
Deputy Chairperson
- Ms N Mandela
Council Members
- Ms F Ngandi
- Mr D Ngema
- Ms T Nkosi
- Dr A Nontso
- Dr N Songelwa
- Mr R Vuzane
Chief Executive Officer
- Dr Vuyani Booi
Chief Financial Officer
- Mr Mandisi Msongelwa
Senior Management
- Mr Bongani Mahlangu (Heritage and Conservation)
- Ms Nontlahla Tandwa (Public Engagement and Marketing)
Communications Officers
- Mr Fumanekile Wisani
Contact Details
The contact details of the Nelson Mandela Museum are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building, Corner Nelson Mandela Drive and Owen Street, Mthatha, Eastern Cape 5099 |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 52808, Mthatha, 5099 |
| Telephone: | 047 501 9500 |
| Email: | info@nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za |
| Website: | www.nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance between Bhunga Building, NMYHC, and Qunu?
- +- 30km
Is there a parking for visitors?
- Yes, there is street parking infront of the museum under security guidance.
How can I gain access to the Museum’s library?
- Report at the foyer and the librarian will be available to assist you. For enquiries, please call (047)501 9521 during office hours(08h00- 16h30)
Is the access enabled for people with disabilities?
- Yes, all museum spaces are accessible to people living with disabilities.
Where can I buy publications of the Museum?
- The museum books and publications are sold onsite currently
Is the museum open on public holidays?
- No the museum only accept bookings made in advance during public holidays
What are the museum’s opening times?
- The museum opens for tourists from 9h00- 16h00 from Monday- Friday and 09h00- 13h00 Saturdays
READ MORE:
➜ List of Galleries, Museums, and Theatres in South Africa
➜ National Government of South Africa
| Galleries, Museums & Theatres under South Africa’s National Government |
|---|
| Amazwi South African Museum of Literature . Artscape Theatre Centre . Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument . Ditsong: Museums of South Africa . Freedom Park . Iziko Museums of South Africa . KwaZulu-Natal Museum . Luthuli Museum . Mandela Bay Theatre Complex . Market Theatre Foundation . National Museum in Bloemfontein . Nelson Mandela Museum . Robben Island Museum . South African State Theatre . The Playhouse Company . uMsunduzi Museum . War Museum of the Boer Republics . William Humphreys Art Gallery |
