Nobel Square

Nobel Square is a commemorative space at the V&A Waterfront featuring five bronze figures arranged in a semicircular formation. The statues stand on granite platforms facing away from Table Mountain, with inscribed words on the ground in front of each one.

The square opened in 2005 to honor four South African Nobel Peace Prize recipients and others instrumental in the anti-apartheid movement. Its creation took place during a period when the country was addressing its past and strengthening its new democracy.

The five bronze figures represent South African Nobel Peace Prize winners and figures who shaped the country's path to democracy. Visitors naturally pause here to reflect on the price paid for peace and reconciliation.

The space sits next to shops and restaurants at the V&A Waterfront and is easy to walk through. Plan time to read the inscriptions and pause by the figures, ideally during quieter morning hours when there are fewer crowds.

One of the statues was created by Noria Mabasa and depicts women who played roles in anti-apartheid movements, not just male leaders. This highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women to South Africa's transformation.