Audio GuideNelson Mandela Garden

Nelson Mandela Garden is a serene urban oasis that invites visitors to ponder themes of freedom, unity, and hope. Established in nineteen eighty-three during Mandela’s imprisonment, the park originally served as a symbol of resistance against apartheid. It was later redesigned in two thousand ten to commemorate Mandela’s historic visit on the thirtieth of April. Today, the gardens highlight elements that depict the journey from captivity to liberation.

Fred Booker

At the heart of the gardens is a basin crafted from white Portland limestone. The water flowing through it, amidst reeds, symbolises purification, renewal, and the continual process of shedding past burdens. Adjacent to it, a commemorative plaque displays an excerpt from Mandela’s two thousand ten speech, emphasising his message of reconciliation and resilience.

Marco Santos

A bronze sculpture named Two Arms, created by the local artist Kenneth Armitage, represents a gesture of welcome and friendship. The open posture of the sculpture inspires visitors to embrace unity. Further enhancing the experience is the Freedom Path, a winding trail paved with resin blocks imprinted with handprints and footprints made by children from Leeds in England and Durban in South Africa. This pathway embodies hope and enduring ties between the two cities.

n doduc

The gardens boast a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, combining exotic South African species with well-known British flora. This amalgamation symbolises the meeting of various cultures and the splendour of nature in its myriad forms, mirroring Mandela’s own journey from oppression to freedom and the celebration of a unified human spirit.