South African Tourism, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, has developed a Mandela-inspired tourist map that highlights many of the sites that defined Mandela’s life.
The map will take travelers on a journey through the four main provinces, including the Eastern Cape, where he was born, grew up and attended Fort Hare University; Gauteng, where he worked as a human-rights lawyer and became instrumental in South Africa’s political struggle; KwaZulu-Natal, where he was captured; and the Western Cape, where he was imprisoned and ultimately freed.
At the launch of the map, South African Minister of Tourism Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said: “What has perhaps been the greatest legacy for tourism is that Mandela has encouraged people from all corners of the globe to come and experience South Africa for themselves. It is thanks to his vision and principles that our tourism industry has grown as much as it has since our first democratic elections 20 years ago when he was elected president of South Africa. It is also thanks to him that the world now knows South Africa for more than just our incredible wildlife, amazing scenic beauty and excellent value for money. Since 1994, the world has come to realize that what really sets this country apart is Mandela’s people, whose warmth and hospitality leave all who visit us touched by the ‘Madiba magic.’”
The map has been made available to trade partners in South Africa and around the world to make it as easy as possible to package Madiba-inspired itineraries. The interactive map is available online at www.southafrica.net/mandela.