After our time in Pilanesberg, we drove four hours back to Johannesburg and then flew to Cape Town, South Africa, on the far southwestern coast of the continent. Our guide had some time to talk to us more about South Africa’s recent history, which I am going to share here.
Nelson Mandela was born July 18th, 1918. His father died when he was young and he was raised by his uncle. He wanted to be a lawyer but ended up as a security guard for awhile before college before coming a professional warrior. Mahatma Ghandi inspired Nelson to be a politician. He was soon labeled a troublemaker. He was arrested in 19642 and charged with treason and sentenced to a lifetime in prison. He served 27 years. He spent 18 years on Robben Island in a damp concrete cell that was 8 x 7 feet with a straw mat to sleep on. He spent his days breaking rocks which led to the breakdown of his eyesight due to the glare of the limestone. He worked on his law degree by correspondence by night from the University of London. He was permitted one visit and one letter every six months. In 1968, Nelson’s mother died and then his oldest son died in a car accident shortly thereafter. He was not allowed to go to either funeral. In 1975, he began his autobiography and it was smuggled to London. It was not published at the time. In 1982, Nelson was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai, Cape Town. In 1988, he was moved to Victor Verster Prison near Paarl. He had much more freedom there and worked to finish his degree. In February 1990, Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and made his famous speech at Cape Town City Hall calling for forgiveness, a reconciliation with the whites and a commitment to peace. This speech was televised across the world and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. Many white South Africans fled the country thinking that a civil war would break out and their lives would be in danger. Four years later Nelson Mandela would become the first black South African president. (something he stated he would do in 1952). Mandela was married 3 times and fathered 6 children and had 17 grandchildren. His children had no interest in following in his political footsteps and most live in quiet anonymity in the Johannesburg area.
Our only bad weather day was our day in the wine country…which was fine. We walked around the town of Franschhoek, admiring the many art galleries and large pieces of art they had in the area.
We stopped by the prison where Nelson Mandela was released from….which is still a maximum security prison today.
Our first wine farm (yes, that is what they are called – wine farms) was Fairfax Wine Farm. Both of the wineries we went to were in the Somerset area. At Fairfax, they paired their wines with different kinds of cheeses. Fairview wine farm started in 1693.
Our next wine farm was had lunch at and had chocolates with the wine. This was Webersburg Estate in Stellenbosch, also founded in 1693.
Messina Musings 