Cape Town is anticipating to celebrate the South African Freedom Day in very unique way. As the Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa that recalls the democratic elections which were first conducted on April 27, back in 1994.
The City is steeped in history and culture and many attractions bear testament to the journey towards freedom and democracy. There are several attractions where people can visit to mark the celebration of Freedom of South Africa.
Cape Town City Hall
The first and foremost place to visit is the City Hall of Cape Town which is a grand architectural dame of the city and the most popular place of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who gave his famous speech, after his release from the prison on February 11, 1990.
Here the visitors can see a life-size statue of the great Nobel Peace Prize winner on the balcony from where he actually addressed the people. An exhibition is also arranged inside the City Hall which is completely, dedicated to the icon only.
The Cape Town City Hall is located at the Darling St, CBD and the entry to visit here is totally free of cost.
Robben Island
This is another historic place where the former South African president Nelson Mandela has spent eighteen years of his 27-year incarceration. It is a home of history that showcases the most scenic views of Table Mountain.
The UNESCO World Heritage site has earlier served as a whaling station, a leper colony and a political prison from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
A trip to Robben Island is only accessible, when taken a ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront for four times a day from Monday to Sunday, with the first trip departing at 9:00 a.m.
To reach the island the tour departs from the V&A Waterfront for which R400 is charged for adult of South Africa and R210 for a child of South Africa. For Non-South African adults R600 is charged and R310 is charged for a child.
District Six Museum
The Museum is a vivid example of the Apartheid regime of District Six. The place was once a racially diverse and vibrant community where the original residents were forcibly removed from the area when the National Party government declared it as a ‘White Group Area’.
District Six Museum Foundation was established in 1989 on the trails of the Hands-Off District Six Conference a year earlier. The museum then officialy launched in 1994 with a compelling inaugural exhibition called Streets: Retracing District Six and has become a must-visit spot for local and as well as international travellers.
Long March to Freedom
Located at the Century Boulevard, Century City take a Long March to Freedom. Recall the history by exploring an outdoor exhibition that features 100 life-size bronze sculptures of the famous historic heroes of South Africa.
From Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Walter Sisulu, the Long March to Freedom transports the visitors back in time to highlight the role of many freedom fighters who fought for democracy.
Nobel Square, V&A Waterfront
It pays homage South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize Winners: late Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former State President FW de Klerk and the former President Nelson Mandela.
The Nobel Square is created by Internationally acclaimed artists Claudette Schreuders. It holds the bronze sculptures of these Laureates that embodies the complexities of defining an ‘African’ identity in post-apartheid South Africa.
The fifth sculpture in the square is titled Peace and Democracy, which is created by Noria Mabasa who was recognised for the invaluable contributions of women and children for pursuing the peace in South Africa.