Nelson Mandela’s legacy continues to command admiration and respect around the world. However, this does not mean that his former residence in Houghton Johannesburg, where he spent his later years, receives the same treatment. Recent images of the house show it has been abandoned and fallen into disrepair.
Before being abandoned, Mandela’s residence was a sophisticated abode that hosted heads of state from around the world as well as international figures such as Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and the former First Lady of the United States , Michelle Obama.
A video broadcast by eNCA, a South African television channel, revealed the current state of the house, with an overgrown garden and a dust-covered ceiling in the bedroom where Mandela died.
According to reports, the house was last occupied by Mandela’s grandchildren, Ndaba, Mbuso and Andile. However, they had to leave the premises after a dispute with the Nelson Mandela Trust. The city even cut off electricity due to unpaid bills from Mandela’s trust.
This has sparked outrage among many South Africans who are calling on Mandela’s family and the government to honor and preserve the statesman’s legacy by carrying out necessary repairs to his residence.
There is no denying that Mandela’s home in Houghton Johannesburg is a symbol of his journey and achievements. It is a place that testifies to the importance of his fight against racial segregation and his quest for justice. It is therefore essential that this historic place is maintained and preserved for future generations.
As fans of Mandela and as a society that values human rights and equality, we must ensure that his memory lives on and his residence is restored to its former glory.
It is time for Mandela’s family and relevant authorities to take concrete steps to preserve this part of South African history and give it the attention it deserves. Mandela’s residence in Houghton Johannesburg should be a place of inspiration and remembrance for all those who continue to fight for a better world, in accordance with Mandela’s ideals.