17. Joburg’s Sanctuary Mandela hotel pays tribute to Madiba’s spirit and legacy

17

VISI / REASONS

REFLECTIVE RETREAT

Paying tribute to the spirit and legacy of Nelson Mandela, his Houghton family home has been converted into a contemplative hotel in which visitors are encouraged to be inspired by the history of a local hero.

S

anctuary Mandela is exactly that: a sanctuary. As you walk up the steps and under the archway into what was once Nelson Mandela’s Johannesburg home, you are greeted by an André Prinsloo bronze sculpture of Tata Madiba reading a newspaper, placed in almost the identical spot where the man himself would read every morning. This sets the tone for the rest of the moving, understated experience of the interiors of this new boutique hotel. about the concept behind the hotel. “Sanctuary Mandela had to feel like a hotel, but also like a home. I designed the space to incorporate various original elements that pay homage to the original structure, and although I kept as much intact as possible, there were sections that had to be demolished and rebuilt – but with original aspects hidden strategically, skilfully and ingeniously throughout.”

Ehrardt also actively used patterns and materials that offer subtle nods to Mandela’s heritage, with nothing

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT A tiled pathway leads to the front entrance of Sanctuary Mandela; the bronze sculpture of Madiba by André Prinsloo; the main lobby exhibition space, which leads to the restaurant and upstairs to the guest suites; the decor of one of the guest suites includes framed letters, written by Nelson Mandela to his children while he was imprisoned; the doublevolume exhibition space features artwork donated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

MICHAELA STEHR PHOTOS SUPPLIED WORDS

Each piece is part of a story that’s spun like a web throughout the building. “You will see details that reference Madiba’s life as well as the narrative of the original home,” Ehrardt says. “These are o en subtle, almost hidden, encouraging the viewer to look deeper into each space.”

Certain original features were retained – including the round boundary wall of Madiba’s study, which is refl ected from the boardroom and translated into the design of the says Ehrardt. “This curve extended into the step of the swimming pool outside, where the thatched structure once existed.”

Madiba’s bedroom was also preserved and is now the hotel’s main suite. Two other bedrooms from the original house have likewise been transformed into guest rooms, and an additional six suites were added during the renovation. The quiet, calm spaces all tell a poignant and important historical tale in a one-of-a-kind

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Kim H Nieu’s Ehrardt Nieuwoudt; the hotel’s public lounge area and bar; a 1952 photo donated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation; Motsamayi Tourism Group CEO Jerry Mabena; an undercover heated pool connects the bar and lounge to the outdoors; the spacious dressing area of the Presidential Suite; the reception area connects to the lobby exhibition space that leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant.