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HERITAGE

Cultural melting pot and birthplace of iconic world leader, Nelson Mandela, the rich heritage and diversity of the Eastern Cape with its people, sights and sounds interwoven into the tapestry of what makes this region so unique. Become encapsulated in the history of a proud region and its people.

Nelson Mandela

In a country ruled by racial oppression for a number of years, Nelson Mandela became a world icon for…

Oliver Tambo

As a founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League along with Mandela, Oliver Tambo became the secretary of the party in 1943 following a career as a science and maths teacher.

Walter Sisulu

Walter Sisulu has both a Xhosa and western background, having been born to a Xhosa mother and white father. After working in Johannesburg on a number of manual jobs, Sisulu joined the African National…

Govan Mbeki

Govan Mbeki, father of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, studied at the Fort Hare University where he met other African struggle leaders.

Raymond Mhlaba

Following school, Mhlaba, fondly known as "Oom Ray" in later life, began his career at a laundry in Port Elizabeth from where he was introduced into the world of politics through the European Laundry Workers…

Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe

Sobukwe became known to his supporters as "Prof" because of his educational achievements following his studies at Fort Hare University and lecturing African Studies at Wits. As founder of the Pan Africanist…

Chris Hani

Hani was a fierce opponent to the Apartheid government and held the position of leader of the South African Communist (ANC) Party as well as chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.

Steve Biko

Biko studied medicine at the University of Natal Medical School and began his political career by becoming involved in the multiracial National Union of South African Students, following which he helped…

Enoch Mankayi Sontonga

Sontonga composed Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika which was to become the first chorus and verse in the national anthem of South Africa. The song was first sung in public in 1899 at the ordination of a Methodist…