Take a road trip
THERE are many places to
explore along the N3 highway
on the route to Durban from
Johannesburg. Paying for tolls
doesn’t seem half as bad since the
N3 Gateway Tourism Association
launched its heritage route, which
shows local travellers where to stop
over and explore heritage sites and
attractions along the way.
Liliesleaf-a place liberation
To set the tone for what was to be
a historically enriching experience,
the first stop on our trip was
Liliesleaf in Rivonia, Johannesburg.
One of the most underrated
tourist attractions in South Africa,
Liliesleaf was once the safe
house where Nelson Mandela
lived, disguised as a gardener
under the pseudonym, David
Motsamayi, on a white-owned
farm. It was also the headquarters
for members of the anti-Apartheid
movement, where they plotted
ways to overthrow the Apartheid
government.
The site, which was officially
launched as a tourism attraction
in 2008, has interactive
mechanics that allow visitors to
watch and hear video recordings,
documentaries, broadcasts and
read preserved biographical
writings from the Apartheid era.
A guided tour through Liliesleaf
costs R110pp. A self-guided tour
is R60, children under 12 pay
R30 and pensioners pay R35. The
tour begins with an informative
documentary on apartheid, which
is viewed in the newly built theatre
on Liliesleaf farm.
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
The sculpture at the Nelson Mandela
Capture Site in Howick marks the
place where Nelson Mandela was
arrested in August 1962, which
culminated in the Rivonia Treason
Trial that would ultimately see him
spend 27 years in prison.
Poles form part of a sculpture that,
when one is positioned perfectly in
front of it, depicts the silhouette of
Mandela.
The farm on the site has a small
shed that has been transformed into
a history museum telling the story
of Mandela’s life. The experience is
free but donations are welcome.
Also on the premises is the Truth
Café, which offers traditional KZN
meals such as curries, bunnychows
and braaied meat known as
shisa nyama. Travellers should try
the Mandela Malay curry for R55.
There is also a gift shop where
you can buy prints of the Capture
Site on T-shirts, mugs and other
memorabilia.
On the way
Just off the N3 is the Protea
Hotel in Hilton. The four-star
97-room hotel is perfect for a
stopover while travelling along the
heritage route. Amenities include
500MB of free WiFi daily. A great
feature is the pod-like day beds
beside the pool.
Pietermaritzburg museums
Pietermaritzburg is an essential
stopping point on the N3 heritage
route, with a wealth of South African
history in its museums, from British
and Boer to Indian and Zulu cultural
and historic events. Museums in the
area include the Voortrekker Museum/
Msunduzi Museum, the KwaZulu-Natal
Museum and Baynesfield Estate
Museum.
The Ecabazini Zulu Homestead
Travellers can spend a night
in a traditional Zulu hut at the
Ecabazini Zulu Homestead, close to
Pietermaritzburg and next to the Albert
Falls Dam.
Each four-person hut has paraffin
lamps for lighting as there is no
electricity and all cooking is done on
the fire. Visitors experience a day in
the life of a traditional Zulu tribe, doing
day-to-day chores, making crafts and
enjoying Zulu food and traditional dance
performance.
Gandhi Phoenix Settlement
Outside Durban is Inanda, a
township rich in South African
history. Here travellers will find
the Gandhi Phoenix Settlement,
a heritage site established in
1904 where Gandhi lived with his
family. During this time, Gandhi
took in political leaders and taught
them how to stand up against the
Apartheid government by practising
principles of peace, justice and
equality.
During the Inanda riots in 1985,
the house was burnt down. It has
now been restored, with original
photographs and scriptures as
part of a tour of the settlement.
Outside the house is a statue
of Gandhi as well as a number
of large poster boards with
inscriptions of his teachings and
life lessons.
There is now a clinic, a school
and an HIV/Aids centre at the
settlement. Upliftment projects in
the area include traditional Zulu
dance groups. The spiritual and
informative tour is free of charge
but donations can be given to help
uplift the community of Inanda.
Chill out in Durbs
Once travellers hit Durban
they can head straight to Joe
Cools, the perfect spot for
sundowners or dinner, wellknown
for its view of the beach
and lively atmosphere. The
bar/restaurant is situated on
the north beach promenade.
Visitors can relax on the deck,
watching the passing parade
of local Durban surfers, beach
bums and sand crafters. The
restaurant manager/DJ, takes
pride in his carefully selected
playlist and will most likely
ask guests if they approve of
his beats. Food varies from
seafood, burgers, pizza and
meat grills to spicy chicken
wings and Mexican nachos.
Where to stay
The newly refurbished 32-storey
Southern Sun Elangeni and
Maharani Hotel has 734 seafacing
rooms overlooking the
beach. The hotel also features
three swimming pools and 15
conferencing rooms.
It’s close to numerous
restaurants and bars. Rows
of bicycles parked outside
encourage guests to explore
the city or visitors can hop
on to elaborately decorated
rickshaws and take a ride along
the beach front.
Those tolls…
How much does it cost to
drive down to Durban from
Johannesburg? Here is a
breakdown of the N3 toll
fees…
De Hoek Heidelberg-Villiers R36
Wilge Villiers-Warden R50
Tugela Warden-Frere R53
Mooi Frere-Cedara R37
Total: R176
