Explore Mthatha through its political and cultural history as well as its conservation themes. When choosing what to focus on, it is useful to know that the two museums offer different perspectives: the Nelson Mandela Museum tells the story of a person and his political struggle; the Mthatha Museum covers research areas in human and natural history. The protected areas also differ in their conservation focus. You can therefore plan your stay around the topics that interest you most.
Nelson Mandela Museum in the Bhunga Building
The Nelson Mandela Museum is located in the Bhunga Building in Mthatha. It tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s life, his struggle for democracy and the end of the apartheid regime. The Bhunga Building was once the seat of the Transkei Parliament and now houses the museum. The building’s former political role adds a second historical point of reference to the biographical perspective. The building also features “Gifts of the Nation,” a collection of gifts Mandela received from people in South Africa and the international community. Unlike the account of his life, this exhibition focuses on the gifts themselves and the people who presented them. The museum also offers guided tours.
Mthatha Museum in the former post office
The Mthatha Museum is located in the former Umthatha General Post Office at the corner of York Road and Victoria Street in Mthatha. Its former use as a post office gives the location its own urban connection; today, it houses the museum. Its research areas cover human and natural history. Its departments and specialist fields include anthropology, archaeology, history, ornithology, mammals and shells. These specialist fields illustrate the museum’s breadth: anthropology, archaeology and history sit alongside ornithological, mammalogical and shell-related topics.
Conservation in the surrounding area
Nduli Nature Reserve protects the endangered Mthatha Moist grassland. Also nearby is Luchaba Nature Reserve, just outside the city of Umtata, next to the Mthatha Dam. The 460-hectare protected area consists of wetlands and grassland. Their conservation focus differs: Nduli is dedicated to protecting the named endangered grassland, while Luchaba is defined by its area and its two habitat types.
When choosing between the cultural attractions, one question may help: would you like to focus on a political biography and the history of democracy, or are you interested in a broad range of human and natural history? This can help you distinguish the more biographical and political Nelson Mandela Museum from the Mthatha Museum, which has a broader range of specialist fields, and then decide whether you would also like to include nature-related attractions.
Discover more destinations: Norwood, Nyandeni, Coffee Bay.
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