Mandela: The Official Exhibition Offers Children's Ticket Deal

Mandela: The Official Exhibition is the major new global touring exhibition that takes visitors on a personal journey through the life of the world's most iconic freedom fighter and political leader. This Easter families seeking to inspire the minds of their younger members are invited to visit the exhibition at 26 Leake Street Gallery with a half-price offer for children at the specially reduced price of 7.50 including booking fee.

With entry via 7 Addington Street, London, SE1 7RY the exhibition is sited at Waterloo's historic Leake Street Graffiti Tunnels and just a short walk from London's bustling South Bank making it the perfect start point for a family visit to London. Activity sheets will be available to help youngsters make the most of their visit and understanding of the icon who shaped politics on a global scale.

The immersive and interactive experience opened in London on February 8th and has since welcomed thousands of visitors. Covering 750 square metres, the exhibition features previously unseen film, photos and the display of over 150 historical artefacts and personal effects on loan from the Mandela family, museums and archives worldwide.

Video testimonies of pioneers from the British Anti-Apartheid movement from politics and music, including Lord Peter Hain and Jerry Dammers are featured alongside memories of Madiba shared by Lewis Hamilton, Richard Branson and Lennox Lewis.

Kathi Scott, Executive Director, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund UK says of the exhibition's inspirational quality for young people:

It is through understanding history and why events happened that people can move forward. The system of racial domination created very deep and lasting emotions in South Africa. Mandela: The Official Exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn and understand the history of Mr Mandela and South Africa, and to engage with the ideas of tolerance and forgiveness.

Mr Mandela always hoped and wished to see a generation of young people throughout the world who would accept and respect people, irrespective of their colour, religion, background or financial status. The exhibition crucially gives young people an insight into what freedom, sacrifice and responsibility means, and how incredible things can be achieved when ordinary people come together.

Lord Peter Hain, former anti-apartheid leader and author of Mandela His Essential Life continues:

The exhibition gives a fascinating insight into one of the all-time giants of humanity Nelson Mandela is an inspiration for all young people deeply unimpressed with the politicians leading our world today, for his morality, courage, strength and self-sacrifice for his vision of a world free of discrimination of any kind.

Through a series of immersive zones each one a dramatically different experience the narrative of the takes us on a journey through a remarkable life.

We learn more about Madiba's beginnings in the rural Transkei, steeped in Xhosa tradition. We experience the turbulent struggle against apartheid and why it had to be defeated. We celebrate his liberation and his historic term as South Africa's first black president, 'Father of South Africa', and a globally loved and respected figure. We also reflect on his passing after a lifetime of service to others: what is his legacy and how can we all adopt some 'Madiba values' in our daily lives to be part of that legacy?

This unprecedented exhibition provides fresh insight into the people, places and events that formed his character and the challenges he faced. Discover Nelson Mandela as you have never known him.

Lawyer. Revolutionary. Political prisoner. World leader. Elder statesman. Symbol of the struggle against oppression. Nelson Mandela has been all these things to so many people across the world in the past 50 years and five years after his passing, he continues to remain a human rights icon and to be seen globally as an advocate for change.

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition is designed to educate, entertain and inspire using many personal belongings and objects never previously seen outside of South Africa. These items, including the suit worn for the opening of the South African parliament in 1996; a traditional head dress gifted to him by The King of Xhosa people, King Xolilzwe Sigcawu as he awarded Mandela the ancient tribal warrior honour of the Isithwalandwe Sesizwe, for the rst time in two centuries and his much loved iconic beige trench coat, combine with immersive media presentations and scenic re-creations, to enable visitors to actively engage with and experience key moments in Nelson Mandela's life.

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition reveals his epic story in a series of experiential zones. It takes visitors on Mandela's life journey, from his little-known beginnings in rural Mvezo, Transkei, through decades of turbulent struggle against the apartheid regime, to his eventual vindication and final years as South Africa's first black president, 'Father of South Africa', and a globally loved and respected figure.

Nelson Mandela's grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela says of the exhibition:

The Royal House of Mandela is delighted to endorse this exhibition honouring the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela as it truly captures the spirit of our global icon whose name has become synonymous with international solidarity, justice and peace. It succeeds in quintessentially depicting the man and the legend whose struggle and sacrifice has captivated the hearts and minds of millions around the world. This exhibition is truly an inspiration and an inspired effort; I believe that everyone who sees it will agree that the legacy lives on and that the dream will never die.
London and the United Kingdom more broadly was home to many South African exiles and activists in the anti-apartheid struggle. In the 1980s and '90s Trafalgar Square and South Africa House was the scene of many a picket and protest action and this news found its way to Mandela in his cell, either in encoded messages, by word of mouth and in the latter years, via news clippings. It was therefore no surprise that Madiba chose London as one of the first cities outside Africa to visit as a free man after his 27-year incarceration. I can say without the slightest doubt that Madiba would have given his stamp of approval to staging this exhibition in London.

Nelson Mandela's story has been told many times before, not least of all by the man himself in his own words. So, what makes Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition different? The exhibition features unique insights from across the spectrum from close family, friends and others who admired him from afar. Personal artefacts and other material also reveal the deeper stories behind the headlines and bring us closer to the man behind the myth.

Mounted in collaboration with the Royal House of Mandela and the Mvezo Development Trust, Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition is presented in celebration of the 100th year of his birth and to honour the 5th year of his passing. Further global dates are to be announced as part of a world-wide tour before the exhibition is permanently mounted in Mvezo, Mandela's birthplace.

The exhibition appreciates the support and involvement of several South African Heritage Partners including institutions and individuals who are contributing to the exhibition content. These Heritage Partners include: The Robben Island Museum, The Liliesleaf Heritage Site, Mqhekezweni - The Great Place, Christo Brand and Zelda la Grange

A portion of the exhibition proceeds will be given to the Mvezo Development Trust to support economic development programmes in South Africa's Eastern Cape.

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