Nelson Mandela Capture Site
About This Museum
You're standing on a quiet stretch of road outside Howick, a place that feels almost too ordinary for the history it holds. It was right here, in 1962, that Nelson Mandela's life and the fight for freedom in South Africa took a dramatic turn when he was captured by apartheid police. The site is now marked by an incredible sculpture—from one angle it's just a series of vertical steel poles, but from the right spot, they align perfectly to form his face. A thoughtful visitor center weaves the story of his long walk to freedom, making the past feel incredibly present. The whole place has this powerful, reflective silence that really makes you stop and think.
Collection Highlights
The main event is undoubtedly the stunning outdoor sculpture of Mandela's face, but don't skip the visitor center which uses photographs, quotes, and narrative to tell the full story of his 27 years in prison and the struggle against apartheid.
Visitor Information
It's an easy drive from Durban or Pietermaritzburg on the R103. Wear comfy shoes for walking around the sculpture garden, and definitely plan to spend some quiet time just taking it all in.
Architecture & Building
The visitor center is a modern, low-slung building with lots of glass, designed to blend into the landscape without distracting from the powerful sculpture it complements.
Contact & Location
Address: Nelson Mandela Capture Site – Visitor Center and Museum, P162, uMngeni Ward 4, uMgeni Local Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, 3260, South Africa
Phone: +27 72 351 0967
Website: Visit Website
