Day Trip to Qunu

Qunu is where Nelson Mandela grew up, and close to where he was born.  On Sunday, we took a drive to the Nelson Mandela Museum, which is very modern and well maintained.  It has accommodation for 60, conference facilities for 500 and organised tours.  In the two hours we were there, we were the only visitors.

This mosaic mural shows 8 elements of Madiba's life: 1) The homestead where he was born; 2) Sliding Stone; 3) Qunu Junior Secondary School; 4) Church where Madiba was baptised; 5) Madiba's swimming spot; 6) Madiba as a boxer; 7) 46664 Robben Island Prison; 8) Mandela in presidency

1

Our guide, Sibusiso, showing us how Madiba, as a boy,  used the Sliding Stone.  Madiba used pieces of cardboard to cushion his bottom.

Wheeeeee!

The impact at the bottom whipped Sibusiso's beanie off his head

Steep walk up from the Sliding Stone. Note the a large, natural ampitheatre in the backbround

The garden is very well kept

Qunu Jumior Secondary School, where Madiba was educated.  Note the longdrop in the gap between the fence and the gate.  In these rural areas, there is no waterborne sewerage

Who needs a lawnmower? Just borrow your neighbour's flock of sheep for the day.

We wanted to visit Mvezo, but this grader persuaded us that today was not a good day to visit Nelson Mandela's birthplace.Note the newer rondawels on the right - they are octagonal, not round.  Certainly makes the job of roofing much easier.

Lots of little dams like this.  These are the first geese I've seen here.  What a glorious day!

Mandela's home in Qunu, directly onto the N2.  No access to the public.  No-one is living there at the moment, but members of the family do come and stay occasionally

Lots of little family graveyards like this are dotted along the N2.  Many of the graves have magnificent views

This eucalyptus plantation runs along the N2, together with this barbed wire fence.  Every few hundred metres or so there is a stile like this, for people to climb through.  I assume the owners got a bit fed up with their fence being broken by locals needing access.  There are also full length gaps in the fence in places, which allows livestock to come and go.  Makes me wonder why there is a need for a fence in the first place.

Back in Mthatha, looking for somewhere to have lunch.  Car-washing is a very popular pastime on Sundays.  And yes, the election posters are still up, more than a month after the election.