The Last Link to Mandela – RY Marketplace

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DESCRIPTION
Join us for an immersive experience into South Africas past, present and future. Nelson Mandela, a true icon in South Africa, lived through the oppressive Apartheid regime, fought for freedom and ensured peace in South Africa when the government changed hands in 1994. We will be visiting Langa, the oldest township in South Africa, where your local guide will take you to the Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre. Here you will learn about life in the township, support small business initiatives, visit arts and crafts stalls as well as take part in an African drumming session 

We will head to the “Dompas” museum, where you will get an insight into what Apartheid meant for South Africans and how it affected daily life. Here you will get the chance to hear a talk from Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela’s Former prison warder who later became a close friend. Truly a once in a life time opportunity to hear tales from Mandela’s time in prison and the friendships he formed. Christo is the last link we have to Mandela and this is a rare opportunity to meet someone who was so close to him.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Local Guide – Local to Langa Township

Entrance Fee / Tickets – Dompas Museum entry Walking Tour – Tour of Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre Transportation – pick up and drop off at accommodationDrumming session

Taste of local African beer and African snack

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Christo Brand’s book, “Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend”. The cost is R300, please bring cash as there will be no card facilities for this purchase

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOWYou will have the opportunity to buy Christo Brand’s book, Doing Life with Mandela: “My Prisoner, My Friend”. The cost is R300, please bring cash as there will be no card facilities There will be a light snack included and not lunch 

HOST INTRO

In 1978 at the young age of 18 Christo Brand started his work as a prison guard on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was serving a life sentence. In 1982 Christo was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison; at the same time they moved Mandela and 3 others there. Christo was in charge of the Mandela group for the next 6 years. On Mandela’s release from prison, he arranged a job for Christo in his office; then at the constitutional assembly; and then in 1997 when Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site, Christo began working there. Christo and Mandela remained friends right until Mandela’s death in 2013 when Christo attended his funeral in Qunu as a guest of the Mandela family. Christo retired from Robben Island in July 2018 to pursue his story-telling full time. Sugar will be your guide and is a local to Langa. She has a passion for Langa and wants to help build the community and help local entrepreneurs grow their business.

MINIMUM TO OPERATE

5 people

MAXIMUM CAPACITY

13 people

DEADLINE TO BOOK

8 days prior to the start of the experience What is the refund policy?

For questions concerning refunds, please email [email protected]. Please note most bookings made within 24 hours are fully refundable. Bookings made outside the 24 hour policy are not eligible for a refund. Please keep in mind, we will automatically refund bookings that are disrupted by extreme weather conditions, last minute cancellations from our suppliers or the minimum number is not met by the booking deadline.

What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?

We’ll control the weather. Just kidding! Remote Year can’t control the weather or many other factors that go into planning events. In the event of a change due to weather, the City Manager will do their best to provide a make-up option. Due to last minute changes and busy monthly schedules, we cannot guarantee it works for everyone but we’ll do our best! If you are not able to attend the make-up date(s), we will fully refund your booking.

I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?

Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.

Can I book for a friend / family member?

Yes! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. Please refer to our Friends and Family policy: Friends & Family (visitors of active Remotes and active Citizens) may be granted access to private Remote Year events, Local Experiences, Side Trips, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services at an extra cost determined by the Marketplace or City Team. Remote Year reserves the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using Remote Year services. To avoid abuse of services, non-active Citizens, op-out Remotes, or Remotes who have left a Program can not use services as Friends & Family of Active Remotes or Active Citizens.

I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help? If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes, you may transfer your ticket to another Remote, Citizen or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved.

I’m not currently an active Remote Year participant, can I still book?

As a non-active Remote or Citizen, you forego access to any private Remote Year events including Core Experiences, Local Experiences, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services through the Marketplace. Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the City Manager. 

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