Sunrays illuminate Qunu, the village where former South African President Nelson Mandela grew up, on June 27, 2013. South African President Jacob Zuma said on June 27 that the condition of ailing anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela had improved overnight, but he remains critical but stable. (AFP PHOTO/ Carl de Souza / Getty Images)
Sunrays illuminate Qunu, the village where former South African President Nelson Mandela grew up, on June 27, 2013. South African President Jacob Zuma said on June 27 that the condition of ailing anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela had improved overnight, but he remains critical but stable. (AFP PHOTO/ Carl de Souza / Getty Images)
You can learn a lot about Nelson Mandela by going back to where it all began for the visionary leader. Madiba grew up in the Eastern Cape town of Qunu, and his childhood village set the tone for a most incredible life.
The village – containing no more than 200 people – was home to the most iconic figure in South Africa’s long and chequered history.
From the foundations of his modest beginnings, Madiba rose – and eventually, dragged the rest of the country with him – as he aspired to be the inspiration Mzansi needed.
It all started here, on the banks of the Mthatha river. But what do we need to know about Qunu? We’ve put a quick fact file together to understand more about Mandela’s roots.
Almost all of the local residents are part of the Madiba clan. Several homesteads in the area belong to direct relatives on Nelson Mandela. When he arrived in Qunu as a two-year-old, his father had been deposed as a traditional leader in Mvezo.
However, he still held a lot of sway in Qunu, influencing the decisions of the clans when it came to maintaining law and order in the village.
#Rainbow over #Mandela‘s final resting place in #Qunu, as sun breaks through pic.twitter.com/Cjl8yBmx0W
— Jerome Starkey (@jeromestarkey) December 12, 2013
What did a young Nelson Mandela do for fun during the 1920s and 30s? He and his friends climbed up to “sliding stone” – a huge boulder on the outskirts of the village with an open face that slides downwards.
Nelson and his chums would climb to the top of it, slide all the way down, then repeat the process. He eventually returned to Qunu after retiring from public office, but his sliding days were long-gone by the time the 21st century rolled around.
#meetSouthAfrica @ShotLeft @easterncape @UbuntuXSA Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Tour, Madiba’s sliding stone Qunu pic.twitter.com/XQE1okgwMv
— Imonti Tours (@vezavee) April 30, 2016
There is still a traditional way of life here. Decisions are made by clan leaders and life is refreshingly simple. Farming is still the main source of income for the region, but locals have become wise to their surroundings.
Many have embraced the tourism that comes with Qunu’s “pilgrimage” status. They are happy to engage visitors with stories of yesteryear. One very popular Madiba tale was how the young Rolihlahla would wear a pair of shoes many sizes too big for him, making his classmates laugh at him for his appearance.
A born entertainer, here.
Guests being thought by the locals at Qunu, Mandela’s village, how to greet with respect. pic.twitter.com/eKLi6YL4l2
— Imonti Tours (@vezavee) March 7, 2016
He has never been shy of eulogising the rolling hills and the placid lifestyle of his hometown. He immediately returned to Qunu after 27 years behind bars, and once his Presidential term finished, he set up his retirement home there.
It really is a case of home being where the heart is. The village became a symbol of what his “old” life was like before the tumultuous struggle for freedom. Mandela was eventually buried here, in the place he never wanted to leave.
Nelson Mandela house in Qunu pic.twitter.com/H6lROCGRJK
— Ayanda Amakhize (@ayandamkhize747) December 16, 2014
There is the Nelson Mandela Museum, which has become the focal point of the humble settlement. The centre itself is home to artefacts that forged the young Mandela in fire, whereas a village walking tour is also on offer.
The walk will allow tourists to see points of interest ranging from the primary school Madiba first began education at, to the thornbush he crashed into when he fell off a donkey. He was kind of a goofball when he was younger, hey?
#meetSouthAfrica @GoToSouthAfrica @shortleft @easterncape @AKILANGA @UbuntuXSA Mandela’s first school in Qunu pic.twitter.com/16YFVcBZnA
— Imonti Tours (@vezavee) November 24, 2015