Liliesleaf Farm

The tagline, "A Place of Liberation", is both ironic and apt at the same time. It is ironic, because the raid on Liliesleaf Farm on 11 July 1963 directly led to the arrest of a number of key ANC leaders, the Rivonia trial and ultimately incarceration for some of the most prominent liberation leaders including Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu. It is apt, because the farm was their hiding place, their command centre and the plans set in motion still propelled South Africa's liberation movement.

It is now an easily accessible museum with a wealth of stories and resources. There is more that story of the struggle against apartheid; there is treachery, smuggling, intrigue and prison escapes. It is a testament to what was endured to get liberation; and a testament to true multi-racial cooperative push against injustice. Speaking with the guide afterwards, her views on the present debacles in the ANC was eye opening especially when she contrasted the events at Liliesleaf to events at Polokwane.

It is not as brilliant a museum as Apartheid Museum, but it is a piece of South African history that shouldn't be forgotten; and well worth visiting.