Mandela arrest site turned into memorial

South Africa has built a memorial at the site where anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962, state-run news agency SA News reported.

Mandela, popularly known as ‘Madiba’ was arrested in Howick, in KwaZulu-Natal province, about 90 km from the port city of Durban.

Remembering the fateful day of August 5, 1962, President Jacob Zuma said the monument should speak to all like a “sacred shrine” and a place that must be “treated with utmost respect”.

He said the arrest of Madiba in Howick had automatically turned the town into a heritage site.

The monument would help raise awareness about the historic injustice meted out by the racist apartheid regime. It would also promote tourism and job creation.

“We must encourage generations to visit this place to see Madiba’s last point as a free man. Those who do so, will be inspired by the sacrifice, commitment and dedication to this country and its people,” Zuma said.

“Madiba has achieved a lot in his 94 years of life, although he has always remained modest and humble. We celebrate that sterling and visionary leadership that he displayed even in most trying conditions during the struggle for liberation. We celebrate lessons from Madiba one of which is humble leadership.”

Howick is famous for its scenery, with hills and the famous Howick Falls on the Umgeni river, which is 95 metres in height. The Zulu community calls the falls “KwaNogqaza”, meaning “Place of the Tall One”.