The Nelson Mandela Legacy Exhibition in Cape Town has won gold at South Africa’s 9th Annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards.
Cape Town, South Africa (06 December 2022) – The City of Cape Town opened the Nelson Mandela Legacy Exhibition and Education Programme on the 10th December 2021 and it has been a welcome addition to the community. The very same exhibit has gone on to win gold at from the National Heritage Council (NHC) of South Africa’s 9th Annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards.
The awards took place in late November at a ceremony in Polokwane, Limpopo. Many of the entrants and winners work towards promoting South African heritage and preserving local history.
The Nelson Mandela Legacy Exhibition won in the category for ‘Local Government Commitment’. The award recognises the City’s “outstanding contributions to local, regional or provincial heritage or history through innovative programmes that educate, interpret or promote public awareness of their heritage and history”.
‘With this latest recognition from the NHC, it means that the exhibition and education programme is now a multi-award winning initiative. In October 2022 it also received an award at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s Cultural Affairs Awards. We are extremely proud of this exhibition and the contribution it makes in building social cohesion and understanding.
‘I firmly believe it is impossible to visit this exhibition and not be moved. We learn from our past which determines our present and future. I invite every Capetonian and visitor to our lovely city this festive season to visit the City Hall and view the exhibition,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The exhibition is open to the public for free. It celebrates Nelson Mandela’s legacy and was created alongside the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It is located at the City Hall where Nelson Mandela made his first public address after being released from prison on 11 February 1990. Nelson Mandela’s life and ties to Cape Town are shared at the exhibition alongside other liberation struggle contributors like Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Cissie Gool and Ashley Kriel.
Standing on the sidewalk looking in, you can see a bronze statue of Madiba up on the balcony where he gave his speech. Going inside, you will find interpretive panels, audio-visual and interactive displays and more.
Over 4,800 visitors have been to see the exhibition to date. If you would like more information about the Nelson Mandela in Cape Town – Legacy Exhibition and Education Programme, visit www.capetown.gov.za/MandelaExhibition.
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