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I recently had the opportunity to stop in at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site just outside of Howick, Kwazulu Natal. An extract from the website for the Capture Site (http://www.thecapturesite.co.za): To see the sculpture visitors walk “along a path representing “the long walk to freedom” culminating halfway down a cut into the earth, where the laser cut steel columns gradually come together and focus at a particular point 30 meters from the sculpture. The 50 linear vertical steel columns line up at this point creating the illusion of a flat two-dimensional image magically recreating Madiba’s portrait, metaphorically announcing his return to the site of his disappearance from world view”. It was a very special experience to be there. I got there quite late and was the last visitor for the day so the site was all but deserted. The “long walk to freedom” literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The setting is so peaceful and the afternoon light that day was beautiful. There is nothing that I can say about Madiba that has not been said. I thought it more important to include some of his own statements as a reminder of his phenomenal legacy. “It always seems impossible until it’s done." - Nelson Mandela “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”- Nelson Mandela, Defence statement during the Rivonia Trial, 1964 “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”. - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom "I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself." Nelson Mandela
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