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Sanctuary Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s former personal residence turned boutique accommodation, will open to the public by end of August 2021
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Nelson Mandela Foundation and Motsamayi Tourism Group ready to welcome the public to iconic new hospitality residence
Johannesburg, South Africa – 28 June 2021: Former president Nelson Mandela’s first home in Houghton, Johannesburg, has been refurbished, transformed, and re-envisioned as an iconic hospitality experience set to attract world leaders and people who aspire to the inspiration of this global icon, offering them an opportunity to be immersed in his most intimate environment. Renamed the Sanctuary Mandela, this unique hotel features nine rooms accommodating up to 18 guests, retreat spaces for reflection, and a personal connection to the private life of Madiba. It is the only former residence of Madiba accessible to the public not as a museum but as a venue for an intimate stay with the memories of the global icon.
The renewal of this property is specially designed to fashion a space for tranquillity, heritage, and mindful experiences. The space will allow guests to immerse themselves in the legacy of Madiba and draw inspiration from Madiba’s soul, to commune together for the common good of resolving international matters and, lastly, to be inspired by this iconic global leader’s hospitable nature and spirit of service to the people.
The development is a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which owns the property, and Motsamayi Tourism Group (previously known as Thebe Tourism Group), which is the administrative and marketing partner for the management of this extraordinary hospitality experience.
Sello Hatang, CEO of the Foundation, believes that this is an important step in testing a model for the sustainability of heritage sites related to the life and work of Nelson Mandela.
“Madiba dreamed of a just and peaceful world in which societies prosper. He lived to make a difference in the lives of everyone; his leadership was about service to the people. We hope to attract global leaders and other visitors to stay at Sanctuary Mandela to reflect and draw inspiration from the spirit of Madiba,” he says.
“We announced plans to begin the construction of this project on the centenary of his birth on the 18th of July 2018 and, since then, have made great progress. We are now ready to show this special tourism experience to the global community,” he adds.
President Nelson Mandela lived at this property pre-and during his presidency. As the very first democratically elected President of South Africa, Mandela is regarded as the Father of a Democratic South Africa.
Motsamayi Tourism Group (MTG) was, until recently, part of the Thebe Investments stable – a company established by Nelson Mandela and some of his friends, including Walter Sisulu, Beyers Naude, and Dr Enos Mabuza – for the sole purpose of fostering real economic transformation in South Africa. The company continues to drive transformation in the tourism sector, an industry which Madiba himself declared is a key economic sector that can be used to change the economic disadvantage of all Africans. A few months ago, CEO Jerry Mabena and the MTG management team took ownership of the business alongside funding partner Future Growth and will be undergoing a rebrand over the next few weeks. The relevance for MTG to manage the property was uncanny due to the link to Madiba being a founding father of the organisation, which still abides by the same values.
“We strive to preserve his memory, values, and principles. And, with this product, we want to ensure that his memory as a global icon lives long, and his values and principles are instilled – or at least evoked – in leaders from around the world in order to usher the world into a future where all of us – regardless of race or gender – are equal and live in harmony with one another and with the environment – especially in a post-pandemic world,” says Jerry Mabena, CEO of Motsamayi Tourism Group.
“The pandemic has forced everyone and, more importantly, many people in positions of leadership, to think differently about the world we live in. In essence, it has forced us to take a reflective and introspective observation of our roles in the world. And now, more than ever, at a time when the world requires an equal distribution of vaccines in order to protect lives and livelihoods, President Nelson Mandela’s ideals of equality and the eradication of poverty are needed most. Hence the imminent opening of the Sanctuary Mandela comes at a very important time in our lives as human beings,” he adds.
People may begin booking their stays at Sanctuary Mandela from 1 July 2021 for stays from 1 August 2021. Keep an eye on the website for booking details www.sactuarymandela.com or email info@sanctuarymandela.com
