Scores flock to former Madiba room
Children walk in front of a year-old mural outside Nelson Mandela's former Alexandra township residence in Joburg on Thursday. The room in which he stayed in 1945, when he worked as a clerk in a law firm, remains unchanged and is a heritage site in the township. Picture: AP Children walk in front of a year-old mural outside Nelson Mandela's former Alexandra township residence in Joburg on Thursday. The room in which he stayed in 1945, when he worked as a clerk in a law firm, remains unchanged and is a heritage site in the township. Picture: AP
A room once rented by Nelson Mandela in Alexandra is the only thriving heritage site for the township’s residents.
This is because the township’s “official museum” has flopped.
As Mandela spends his eighth day at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for a recurring lung infection, scores of elderly people, tourists and local and international media this week flocked to the yard at the corner of Richard Baloyi Street and Seventh Avenue to view Mandela’s former lodgings.
Two dustbins are outside, along with a handful of pot plants outside the door.
Several houses surround the room, which has not been modified in any way.
A plaque placed near the door declares the room a heritage site, and states that Mandela lived there in 1945 while he worked as a clerk at a Joburg law firm. Nearby is a board with more information on Mandela’s history.
A young girl said she lived in the house with her mother and brother.
“I don’t know much about this room apart from the fact that Nelson Mandela lived here,” said the girl, who identified herself as Lebo.
Friends Olwethu Buthelezi, 9, and Phielo Mahlaba, 11, who live in the same yard, hung tightly on the board while playing.
Asked what they knew about Mandela, Olwethu said: “He has stopped people from fighting and has helped us get food and clothes. We read a lot about him at school. I want him to get better.”
Meanwhile, Mandela’s old house along Vilakazi Street in Soweto has been a buzz of activity.
The house, previously known as the Mandela Family Museum, is now called the Mandela House Museum.
Financial and operations officer Busisiwe Nyathi said it was business as usual, and that news of Mandela’s admission to hospital had had no impact on tour visits. She said June 16 celebrations often boosted the museum.
“People love Tata. They feel blessed to be here,” she said, adding that the museum had also received wishes and messages of support for the former statesman.
Tourist Sharon Obonyo, from Nairobi in Kenya, visited the museum yesterday afternoon. She said her visit to the country was to learn more about Mandela.
“This museum was my first stop. I just had to see where he lived,” she said. - Saturday Star