Nelson Mandela Capture Site
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Nelson Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962 outside of Howick, KZN Natal, South Africa. He spent the next 27 years of his life in prison. The Nelson Mandela Capture Site commemorates this moment in history with a visitor centre and a world renowned sculpture. Operated by The Apartheid Museum.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- knoesenmCape Town Central, South Africa691 contributionsRemembering MadibaThis site was part of an organized 2-week trip I did and I was actually not aware of this attraction in South Africa until I visited. The main exhibition hall is modern, with just the right amount of artifacts and information to absorb some of the vital histories of this great, great man named Nelson Mandela. The art piece that comes into shape as you approach it, is of course, the highlight of the site, but the life events that are marked as you walk to it is what made visiting this site so memorable. It was a 5-10 minute reminder of what Madiba went through from birth to death and how much we have to thank him for.Visited August 2023Travelled soloWritten 1 November 2023
- Road04286483552Johannesburg, South Africa2 contributionsEXCELLENT SERVICEExcellent customer service during a recent visit to the Mandela Capture Site. I was the Tour Leader of a large group of tour operators from Nigeria and Ghana.. The team was on the ball and guaranteed business from afar.Visited August 2023Travelled on businessWritten 24 November 2023
- Terry GSt. Petersburg, Florida27 contributionsNelson Mandela Capture SiteVery interesting and meaningful. Well done exhibits, sculpture in the picture shows up most times you are looking for the site and is Mandela's head unique in design and sort of haunting to what he had to endure. It is difficult for the museum to have wifi connection. or internet for staff. We only had credit cards to pay and they could not process the cards. We entered and left without paying and trying now to find a way to make a donation to pay for our tickets One of his quotes after 27 years in prison, "As I walked out the door towards the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
706 reviews
Excellent
327
Very good
266
Average
82
Poor
22
Terrible
9
Natalia D
1 contribution
Jan 2021
What a terrible experience! For the past few years I have gone to this place with different Russian friends maybe 5 or 6 times. We usually stop on the side of the road to see the memorial where Mandela was arrested, and then we walk across the road to look at the sculpture. Nowhere are there any signs to say you have to pay, or report to some kind of reception.
Last week I went again with Russian friends from Moscow. When we approached the sculpture, some rude, black security guy starts screaming at us and getting totally hysterical and super aggressive. We then understood that we were supposed report to the reception and pay before entering. This was not the case before, as we understood that payment was only necessary if one wanted to visit the museum. The more we tried to explain that we are quite willing to go and pay, the more threatening he became. One would think that in a time when tourists are so scarce, they would welcome us with open arms, but no, he was not at all interested, and even threatened to arrest us!
This place will never see me, or any of my friends again. I will be sure to spread his experience far and wide. I have many followers on my Russian blog about South Africa, and will be sure to let them all know to avoid such a rude and unpleasant place.
Last week I went again with Russian friends from Moscow. When we approached the sculpture, some rude, black security guy starts screaming at us and getting totally hysterical and super aggressive. We then understood that we were supposed report to the reception and pay before entering. This was not the case before, as we understood that payment was only necessary if one wanted to visit the museum. The more we tried to explain that we are quite willing to go and pay, the more threatening he became. One would think that in a time when tourists are so scarce, they would welcome us with open arms, but no, he was not at all interested, and even threatened to arrest us!
This place will never see me, or any of my friends again. I will be sure to spread his experience far and wide. I have many followers on my Russian blog about South Africa, and will be sure to let them all know to avoid such a rude and unpleasant place.
Written 15 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nazarene_M
Durban, South Africa207 contributions
Feb 2020
Our last stop on our visit to the Midlands. As a South African, who learnt about this great man in school, this place is a must-visit. The museum is beautiful and very informative. The "long walk" to the sculpture is serene and also informative, with little cut-outs of info on the right side as you walk down the path. Once you get to the bottom, its a great feeling to see what an incredible sculpture this is. A place that everyone should visit if ever in the area.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tsatsawani
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa76 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
I have been here many times before, entrance used to be free. On my recent visit, I noticed the place has been upgraded, although that is appreciated, the R100 adult entrance fee is not worth it.
There isn’t anything to do, only worth the drive if you are passing.
There isn’t anything to do, only worth the drive if you are passing.
Written 8 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yumeshrey N
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa48 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
Nelson Mandela capture site has an entry fee that you have to pay to access the museum and the actual structure. Very good display of South African History and huge screens playing videos. Items and pictures from the past are displayed and there is a little shop on site. There is a walk down to the Nelson Mandela steel structure. Very beautiful. Restaurant on site as well.
Written 28 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archie Mokele
Centurion, South Africa131 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We spent a great and emotional time at Mandela Capture Site
The main museum is NOW COMPLETED and a great experience. Agreat variety of display and audio clips for a historical memory lane. The start and end of the displays must be properly labelled inside the displays.
For now the fees have not been applied and only a donation. However the pricing I saw on the boards which must still be applied seem quite expensive.
The premises is well manged and parking is ample.
The highlight is the outside sculpture with those magnificent innovative slats.
Definitely something to include on the itenary when in the area.
Easy access from the R103
The main museum is NOW COMPLETED and a great experience. Agreat variety of display and audio clips for a historical memory lane. The start and end of the displays must be properly labelled inside the displays.
For now the fees have not been applied and only a donation. However the pricing I saw on the boards which must still be applied seem quite expensive.
The premises is well manged and parking is ample.
The highlight is the outside sculpture with those magnificent innovative slats.
Definitely something to include on the itenary when in the area.
Easy access from the R103
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita G
6 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Ordinary day visit theres a cover charge for viewings. If you visit ensure to take an umbrella and some water as the walk is quite long to the site and it's not shaded so tends to get quite hot. At R100 pp it is a bit overpriced for what essentially is a photo op. It is however a clever piece of artwork.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WindermereGolfer - John T
Caleta de Fuste, Spain385 contributions
Nov 2019
Well worth a visit.
We visited the Nelson Mandela Capture site whilst staying at Granny Mouse and doing the Midlands Meander. We were a couple of weeks to early as they were just finishing the new museum which will be a great attraction especially in poor weather.
The Walk to Freedom Wall and art work are wonderful.
We visited the Nelson Mandela Capture site whilst staying at Granny Mouse and doing the Midlands Meander. We were a couple of weeks to early as they were just finishing the new museum which will be a great attraction especially in poor weather.
The Walk to Freedom Wall and art work are wonderful.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holly031sa
Durban, South Africa13 contributions
Aug 2020
We were unable to get onto the property as the Monument has been closed during lockdown. We did however get out and pay respect at the capture site. It is a must for anyone passing through the midlands. One can feel the presence of Madiba at the site and I have seen the monument many times, it is a magnificent piece of artwork.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ravi N
Cape Town, South Africa1 142 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We took a day trip on the midlands meander and came across this attraction. The museum is impressive from the outside as this is huge building in the middle of no where and there are not other big buildings around it. The mystery of this building gets the expectations started. The mystery continues inside as it is darkened and this heightens the experience. There are huge screens all over yelling the story. There are visuals and Audios and just a sense of being in the moment. I am not into reading so I went through but then found myself sitting for moments looking through the glass onlooking the road presumably looking at the spot where the atrocity took place. I then took a longish walk down to take pics of the Mandela sculpture. A truly moving experience and highly recommended
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iris B
Los Angeles, CA542 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This site has a good museum that tells the story of Apartheid and Mandela’s fight for equality. Mandela’s car is there and interesting film clips. The Mandela sculpture is at the end of The Long Walk”. Highly recommended.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is not ideal as you have to enter via the museum.
Written 23 June 2018
FROM Johannesburg how can i get here to the capture site ?
Is there a bus or a train that I can get ?
Please anyone?
Written 20 July 2017
Sorry - no buss or train. If you have a limited time, or no chance to drive, stay in Johannesburg and go to the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela house in Soweto and Lilieslief Farm in the north of Johannesburg. You should get most of the same info - the capture site is interesting for the sculpture and its symbolism - but not essential
Written 30 July 2017
is it best to visit this site from Cape town?
Or Johannesburg?
How far is this site from Johannesburg?
Written 20 July 2017
This site is quite a distance ouside Pietermaritzburg. Best is to Fly to Durban and drive from there.
Written 7 August 2017
Would like to visit but is it wheelchair friendly?
Written 15 May 2017
Yes it is wheelchair friendly
Written 7 August 2017
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