Once complete, the refurbished building will serve as the physical interface of the Centre of Memory, a place for members of the public to actively engage with Mr Mandela’s legacy
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)In 2013 the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory will continue with the repurposing of its premises in Houghton, Johannesburg.
The refurbishments will see the transformation of Mr Mandela’s post-presidential office into a public facility, interactive archive and dialogue venue.
Once complete the building will serve as the physical interface of the Centre of Memory, a place for members of the public to actively engage with Mr Mandela’s legacy.
Phase one of the project saw the removal of offices and their contents from the upper level of the building to the lower level, including the office of the CEO, Mr Achmat Dangor.
Phase two of the project comprised the creation of a customised archival storage space that will hold various archival collections belonging to the Centre of Memory, including Mr Mandela’s personal papers.
Phase three, which is currently in progress, sees numerous refurbishments being made to the upper level of the building. Here a permanent exhibition and fully-equipped reading room will be available to visitors on a pre-booking basis. The upper level remains the setting of the main auditorium, and will also contain temporary exhibition and small dialogue spaces.
Phase four will culminate in the final reconstruction of the front entrance to the property, including the installation of a new gate and front perimeter wall.
“We are reaching the culmination of a transition process started in 2007,” says Communications and Outreach Head Sello Hatang. “The new facility will be fully functional by the fourth quarter of 2013.”