The Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre is an open-air venue located at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the Union Buildings serve as the official seat of the South African government and the offices of the President. The amphitheatre, constructed in a disused quarry on the site, offers a powerful moment for reflection on Mandela’s significant role in South Africa’s history. The 9-meter tall bronze statue of Mandela, unveiled in December 2013, is positioned to symbolically unite the two wings of the Union Buildings with his outstretched hands.
The amphitheatre has been the site of several significant events in South Africa’s history. On 31 December 1999, the South African flagship Millennium celebration was held here. In December 2013, Mandela’s body lay in state at the Union Buildings for three days, allowing South Africans to pay their last respects. Though visitors cannot enter the Union Buildings, they can admire them from the manicured terrace gardens, which also afford superb vistas.
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