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Museum · Joanesburgo, Gauteng
Fazenda de Liliesleaf
Former farm in Rivonia that served as a hideout for leaders of the movement against apartheid until the police raid of 1963, now a museum.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Fazenda de Liliesleaf
In the early 1960s, Rivonia was a rural area north of Johannesburg. The Liliesleaf farm was purchased in 1961 and began to be used as a hideout and meeting place for leaders of the African National Congress and its armed wing. Nelson Mandela lived there disguised as a worker, using another name, between late 1961 and early 1962.
On 11 July 1963, the police raided the farm and arrested several leaders. The documents found led to the Rivonia Trial, which in 1964 sentenced Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and others to life imprisonment.
The house and outbuildings have been restored and opened as a museum, with interactive exhibits, videos and testimonies that tell of the clandestine life, the raid and the trial. Mandela’s room can be seen.
Liliesleaf is part of the group of sites of Nelson Mandela’s legacy recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1½ to 2 hours.
Best time
Morning or afternoon, preferably with a guided tour.
How to get there
It is on George Avenue in Rivonia, about 20 km north of Johannesburg city centre and about 6 km from Sandton by car or ride‑hail.
Tip
Visit after the Apartheid Museum: the history of the trial becomes clearer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Fazenda de Liliesleaf
What happened at the Liliesleaf farm?
It was a hideout for leaders of the movement against apartheid until the police raid on 11 July 1963, which led to the Rivonia Trial.
Did Mandela live at Liliesleaf?
Yes, disguised as a worker, between late 1961 and early 1962.
Where is Liliesleaf located?
In Rivonia, about 6 km from Sandton, in the north of Johannesburg.