Hitekani Mbatsana

The Long March to Freedom is a procession of 100 life-size bronze statues of iconic individuals. The procession follows South African personalities from the 1600s to the beginning of a democratic nation. This is the largest exhibition of its kind anywhere in the world. I’ve driven passed this attraction a couple of times but it stayed on my to-do list for a while. So, when my mother visited a couple of weekends ago, we took some time one morning to explore these beautiful bronze statues.

A bronze depiction of Nelson Mandela a and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela raising their fist in power.

The Long March To Freedom Procession

We started our tour with a brief introduction from the tour guide. He shared the historical context and the process that the all-South African team of artists, artisans and historians worked to create these statues (see a step-by-step explanation here). The guide recommended that we start from the beginning of the procession which was at the end of the field. From there, we made our way, row by row through various eras of South African history.

A very detailed bronze statue of Chief Dalasile at the Long March to Freedom.
Chief Dalasile – Chief of amaQwathi of Ngcobo | Artist: Mike Mawdsley

As we went through the procession, I was flawed by the level of meticulous detail on the statues. From the clothing and weapons, right down to the lines on their faces. It was incredible. From Khoekkhoen leaders in the 1600s, Xhosa and Zulu Kings, to iconic men and women fighting through Apartheid for Freedom. Each statue has a plaque nearby detailing the information about the people, their impact and their journey.

A bronze statue of Chief David Stuurman - Hero of the Khoena (Khoi) Resistance.
Chief David Stuurman (1773 – 1830)- Hero of the Khoena (Khoi) Resistance. He was famously imprisoned on Robben Island on two separate occasions and escaped each time. the only person to ever do so.

A museum space with a difference

The attraction was developed to honour the inspirational lives of “individuals who, against great odds, faced these trials of history with courage, strength of purpose, rectitude and dignity.” The way they created the whole space allows you to engage with them as people. Tall or short, smiling or serious, defiant and victorious. It’s a fantastic, emotional addition to the telling of history. It has a way of tugging on your spirit, even if you don’t ordinarily enjoy museums – I love museums but I get it.

On the day we explored the exhibition, there was a group of schoolchildren there on a culture and history excursion. It was lovely to see the next generation, equally enamoured with the statutes. And my eavesdropping on some conversations revealed how badass they thought some of the people depicted were.

A bronze statue of Solomon Mahlangu walking with a gun across is chest and his hands raised above his head in a peach sign.
Solomon Mahlangu ( 1956 – 1979) uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Cadre, Youth Activist.

My favourite part of this tour was that I went with my mother. I’ve been on a few walking tours with her and it always sparks a personal memory or story around that person, place or time. A gentle reminder of the many incredible stories that we haven’t heard yet. And how many more heroes we have yet to meet.

A woman stands in from of a bronze state of Shaka Zulu at the Long March to Freedom procession in Century City.
Shaka Ka Senzangakhona (1780S – 1828).

I loved how they placed various icons whose stories are not always prominent. It showed how we need people from all walks of life to get here. This exhibition gives you all those South African feels. The ones that we had in our freedom bubble.

100 Bronze Statues

I started off taking photos here and there but then I got so absorbed by the whole experience. There are some opportunities to see a virtual tour of these but I recommend you visit in person even if for a couple of hours.

A bronze statue of Singer and Activist, Grammy award winner, United Nations (UN) Representative, Miriam Makeba. She is wearing a strapless dress and is carrying a microphone as though she is about to sing.
Miriam Makeba (1932 – 2008) Singer and Activist, Grammy award winner, and United Nations (UN) Representative.
A bronze statue of Charlotte Maxeka, the first African woman from South Africa to receive a university degree.
Charlotte Maxeke (1871 – 1939) was the first African woman from South Africa to receive a university degree, Founder and first President of the Bantu Women’s League, and President of the National Council of African Women.

Where are the Long March to Freedom bronze statues?

The Long Walk to Freedom bronze statues exhibition is on Century Boulevard in Century City, Cape Town. The exhibition was previously at the Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Cradle of Humankind but officially moved to Century City in 2019.

Several bronze statues at the Long March to Freedom attraction with Table Mountain in the background.

We visited the Long March to Freedom on a cool, autumn morning. It was a partly cloudy day which was very useful because the whole procession was outdoors. So, if you visit on a sunny day, make sure to bring a hat along. You can book a tour but we found we were able to make our way on our own. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 16:30.