By Matshidiso Selebeleng
In the dusty streets of what is now called Winnie Mandela Town, House 802 rises as both a monument and a memory — a silent witness to the injustices of the past.
It was here that the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, revered as the “Mother of the Nation,” endured eight years of banishment under apartheid, from 1977 to 1985.
On 28 January 1977, she was served with her third banning order by the apartheid Minister of Justice and forced into exile in the small Free State town of Brandfort — about 60 kilometres north of Bloemfontein.
What was once a place of isolation has today been transformed into a powerful site of remembrance.
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture refurbished the crumbling house and turned it into a museum that tells the story of her years in exile. Today, the house, once on the brink of collapse, stands firm as a community landmark.
For security guard Lebogang Moloisane, watching over the museum is more than a job — it is a link to his childhood memories.
“I am part of her history, and it brings me joy to ensure everything here stays intact,” he said, pointing to an old photograph in which he appears as a young boy. “I still remember going to one of the soup kitchens she served at. Back then, it didn’t mean much because I was so young, but today it makes me happy and proud.”
He also recalls the trauma of 1987, when the township’s clinic was set alight, allegedly in retaliation for car bombings in Johannesburg. That clinic, which once stood within the museum precinct, remains a scar in the community’s memory.
The restoration of House number 802 cost more than R700,000. While the project was clouded by corruption allegations that led to arrests, the house was ultimately completed and opened to the public.
According to departmental spokesperson Tankiso Zola, the museum’s restoration marks just the beginning.
“The restoration process has been completed, including the exhibition content. What remains outstanding is the rebuilding of the clinic that was bombed during Mama Winnie Mandela’s banishment. The national department is in the process of appointing a service provider for that work,” he explained.
The Winnie Mandela House Museum is now open for visitors on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00, with weekend visits available by arrangement.
For the people of Brandfort, the museum is not just about history — it is about pride, memory, and a legacy that continues to live on in their community.
