Nelson’s Transkei Experience
A 4 day Eastern Cape journey to a tribal landscape, and the young life and times of Nelson Mandela
The Transkei region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape is known for its magnificent coastline and its quiet landscape of rolling hills, spotted with the rural settlements of Xhosa-speaking peoples, who came here perhaps half a millennium ago. It is also known as the birthplace and resting place of Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela.
This unique 4-day experience invites you to explore the Transkei’s simple, rural beauty and personally absorb the customs, beliefs, stories, history and way of life of its people that would stir a young Mandela to build a new democratic South Africa.
“I have the most pleasant recollections and dreams about the Transkei of my childhood, where I hunted, played stick-fighting, stole mielies on the cob and where I learnt to count,” noted Madiba. In keeping with his simple sentiments, Ukubona have designed a tour that’s a thoughtful, intimate wander through some of the places and stories of this great man’s youth, in the landscape he loved.
Tour Overview:
- MVEZO
The birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the seat of the Mvezo Traditional Council, an outdoor museum honouring his life and the newly built Nelson Mandela School of Science & Technology.
- QUNU
The village where he grew up, and where he ultimately retired. We visit the Nelson Mandela Museum and view the Mandela family burial ground from a distance.
- MQHEKEZWENI
The ‘Great Place’ of the Thembu tribe that made the great man. The hut he lived in as a child, the school and church he attended, the great trees he sat under listening to the debates of the regent and elders of his tribe, which inspired his ethical, inclusive style of leadership. And the train station he fled from to escape an arranged marriage!
- PORT ST JOHNS
A small town in the heart of the magnificent Wild Coast, to view untouched natural countryside, and share in the traditional lifestyle and culture of the Amakhosi, Mandela’s people. In season, we may be fortunate to see natural occurrences like the annual Sardine Run.
Day 1:
- From Port Elizabeth, East London or Mthatha airports, drive through the gentle hills of Thembu tribal Transkei to the village of Mvezo, on the banks of the meandering Mbashe river, where Mandela was born – the 13th child of Nonqaphi and Gadla Mandela, a minor hereditary chief. To honour his grandfather’s birthplace, Mandla Mandela has built a museum centre on the hillside. From here, look across a landscape which has changed little since Mandela’s infant years in the 1920’s. It still features hutted homesteads, cattle kraals and women cooking over fires.
- Closer to Mthatha is the village of Qunu, where Mandela remembers a carefree boyhood of sliding down rock faces and fulfilling his traditional role as a herd boy. We visit the sliding rock situated at the museum and walk through the rolling hills to see the remains of the church where he was baptised and then visit the Mandela family burial site. This is also where we plan to have lunch with one of the local families, which might allow you to sample one of the favourite traditional dishes Nelson’s mother made: ‘samp’ (cooked white corn) and ‘amasi’ (buttermilk). Our guide, Zimisele has fascinating and amusing anecdotes about the great man and the history of an area to which Mandela returned after his release and in retirement.
- An overnight in Mthatha introduces you to this bustling university town and “capital” of the Transkei.
Day 2:
- This takes us to the traditional royal Thembu tribal landmark of Mqhekezweni – ‘the Great Place’. Here, after the death of his father at age 9, Mandela was entrusted to the care of Thembu regent, Chief Jongintaba, under whose mentorship he would receive an education and attend university.
- Mqhekezweni is key to understanding Thembu culture and custom, but also offers us a look at some special places in the ‘teenage’ Mandela story. For instance, we can still see the hut he shared with the regent’s son, Justice, and we visit the Bityi train station where they fled from to Johannesburg later to escape their arranged marriages. You may likely meet Justice’s wife – a fascinating old lady with many tales to tell. Visit the school Nelson attended and the nearby church where it is said his love of gospel hymns began.
- Under the famous gum trees of Mqhekezweni pause for a picnic lunch and listen to your guide, as Mandela did to the elders of the Thembu tribe. They would light the fire in the soul of a young man for a life of freedom and equality. Thembu elders today tell that tolerance of all people is a foundation of their tribe. Mandela was, as we all know, its proudest advocate.
Day 3:
- After an overnight in the beautiful coastal town of Port St John’s, the heart of the Xhosa-speaking Pondo tribal area, take in one of the country’s most inspiring natural landscapes. Enjoy a full day taking in coastal forests, traditional villages, sporting and other unique experiences, which could include:.
- a visit to a rural local village. Khulela and his betrothed Macabe are both Sangoma’s (traditional healers). Drive to Mtweni and to meet them for an opportunity to understand the Xhosa and Pondo cultures. Learn about traditional healers and their guiding role in a tribal community; find out about the traditional building of homes and daily life in this part of the Transkei.
- a coastal hiking trail. The famous Wild Coast includes breathtaking landscapes, with deep gorges and cliffs overlooking spectacular coastal forests and two of the world’s seven waterfalls that fall into the ocean. Talk to us about your ideal Pondoland natural adventures – from advanced hiking trails, to easy shoreline walks or energetic river canoeing.
- an ocean ‘sardine run’ adventure.Between June and August the annual ‘Sardine Run’ occurs, when millions of sardines leave their cool Cape waters and move eastwards. Board a boat to be a part of this spectacular event of nature (likened to the Wildebeest Migration of the Serengeti) which attracts thousands of sharks, game fish and oceanic birds and is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to see dolphins isolating fish into the famous ‘bait ball’ they feed upon.
Day 4:
- Depart Port St Johns to be driven to the airport of your choice.