Mandela House, Historical residence museum in Orlando, Soweto, South Africa

Mandela House is a single-storey red-brick matchbox at 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, built in 1945. Its two rooms, a kitchen and a bedroom, have a cement floor and a zinc roof, and the walls carry bullet holes and scorch marks from Molotov cocktail attacks. Inside are original furnishings and memorabilia, including photographs, citations given to Mandela and the world championship belt Sugar Ray Leonard gave him.

Nelson Mandela moved into 8115 Vilakazi Street in 1946 with his first wife, Evelyn Mase, and lived there until his arrest on 5 August 1962. Winnie Mandela stayed on with their daughters until 1977, when she turned the house into a museum. After his release from prison in 1990, Mandela returned for 11 days, saying "I have come home at last." He donated the house to the Soweto Heritage Trust in 1997, and it was declared a National Heritage Site in 1999.

The walls show bullet holes and burn marks from attacks during apartheid times, telling the story of danger and struggle that touched daily life here. These marks remain unrepaired, serving as a reminder of the violence that surrounded the residence.

The house is easy to reach and sits on a main street of the township. Visitors should allow time to move slowly through the small rooms and examine the personal belongings displayed throughout.

Among the displayed items is a world heavyweight boxing belt given to the original resident by a renowned boxer. This rare gift reflects the global recognition and connections that developed despite the isolation of the time.