Curated by Andi Norton

The Nelson Mandela memorial in Stellenbosch, designed by land artist Strijdom van der Merwe, is located in front of the Town Hall on Plein Street. The artwork features a laser-cut Corten steel silhouette of Mandela's face in front of a marble-clad block etched with maps of significant locations in his life. A marble column alongside the block displays one of his most famous quotes. At first glance, the sculpture appears to be a map, but as you as you peruse the artwork, you’ll find that it morphs into a felicitous image of the late political leader. However, this brilliant piece is indeed a map as well, which plots locations in South Africa that played significant roles in Madiba's life. A popular Mandela quote etched in marble runs along a column on the ground: "Never, never and never again will this beautiful country of ours be oppressed by one over another" – apt for a region that was once a hotbed for apartheid.