Participants will meet some of Mandela's colleagues
IAN STALKER
It’s been over a decade since the death of Nelson Mandela and over two since he stepped down as South African president but British tour company Red Savannah is confident that interest in a man seen as instrumental in the end of apartheid and who went on to preach racial reconciliation in South Africa remains strong internationally.
And so the luxury tour company is celebrating of the 30th anniversary of Mandela’s election by launching the “In The Footsteps Of…” itinerary that follows journeys of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, stating clients of the tour company can now follow his struggle to break down barriers and achieve equality for all, completely transforming his nation.
“Nelson Mandela is one of those characters who define a moment in history – a turning point after which things are never the same again,” says Red Savannah’s Nora Berberich, who grew up in South Africa and is now destination consultant — Africa, for Red Savannah. “Within South Africa and on the international stage, he remains a beloved figure and his image still holds immense power. It is an interesting time in South Africa right now. While the African National Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela’s political party, has just lost the majority in parliament it has held since he became president 30 years ago, he still represents a future for South Africa based on fairness and equality, something that all South Africans still hold dear.
“For black South Africans, he was a liberator and uniter, for white South Africans he represented respect and peace. I was in South Africa in December 2013 when Mandela died and remember the shock and sadness resonating through every single person I interacted with, regardless of colour or creed. Mandela was fondly known as Tata, the Xhosa word for father, and this nickname really represents the sentiment the country had and still has for him.”
Berberich spent much of her late teens and early twenties in South Africa, and the history of Nelson Mandela and the struggle against apartheid has always been fascinating to her. “I believe that it is very worthwhile to learn more about the subject, not only from a historical and social point of view, but also from a political perspective. Many tours include Madiba’s early years in KwaZulu-Natal, but I wanted to keep the focus on the struggle and, most importantly, the incredible grace and forgiveness with which he came to power and how he changed the country, so I decided to focus on Cape Town and Johannesburg. His grace and forgiveness is something that I think we could all learn from.”
The private tour traces significant chapters of Mandela’s life, from his years living in Soweto township, to his incarceration on Robben Island and the venues where crucial negotiations took place to bring about the end of apartheid. Red Savannah has obtained insight from Mandela’s former prison warden and eventual close friend Christo Brand to add depth to the exploration of destinations that shaped his life and work.
“Private guides provide unrivalled access and understanding of this momentous period in South African history — and the remarkable life of the ‘Father of the Nation,’” the tour operator adds.
Red Savannah says tour participants will learn of Mandela’s life and “struggle for freedom come to life on the streets of Cape Town and Johannesburg” and explore Robben Island and Pollsmoor Prison with Brand.
They’ll also go on what’s described as an “unforgettable flight over Robben Island where guests can absorb stunning views of Table Mountain and the Cape Town skyline” and at one point stay in Nelson Mandela’s former residence in Johannesburg, now a sensitively restored and peaceful retreat.”
The seven-day itinerary can serve as a standalone showcase into the life of one the modern world’s most significant political figures, or provide a gateway for further explorations of South Africa and its cultural attractions, natural beauty and wildlife. Pricing start at $4,006 per person.
Meanwhile, Berberich suggests meeting Brand and La Grange are certain to give those on the tour valuable insights into Mandela.
“Being able to spend time with two people who themselves spent years at Mandela’s side provides visitors with the opportunity to understand Mandela not only as a historical figure and world leader, but also as a person. I would absolutely recommend reading both Brand’s “My Prisoner, My Friend” and Zelda La Grande’s “Good Morning, Mr Mandela” before arriving in South Africa to make the most of the one-on-one time with them,” she adds. La Grande is described as a former “personal secretary, assistant, and adoptive-like granddaughter” to Mandela.
