In front of Nelson Mandela’s home, now the Mandela House which is a museum.

Nelson Mandela is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and an inspirational icon of freedom revered around the world.

On November 29, the first film to illustrate Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” will be released, documenting his courageous and historic fight against apartheid in South Africa. The film chronicles Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Mandela wrote Long Walk to Freedom as an autobiography before it was developed for the big screen. Unfortunately, while the film is being released nationally on November 29, it’s not available in many big cities, including my hometown of Chicago.

Mandela House; Photo Copyright: Megy Karydes

I had the pleasure of learning more about Nelson Mandela during a visit to his home on Vilakazi Street in Soweto (Johannesburg), South Africa, which is now the Nelson Mandela National Museum. Mandela and his family lived in this home from 1946 to 1962.

If you ever have the chance to visit Joburg, make a stop to see Mandela’s home. Just a few steps away is a restaurant called Sakhumzi which serves everything from burgers to Mogodu, a traditional South African dish which includes tripe.

Gumboot – traditional African dance; Photo Copyright: Megy Karydes

If the weather is nice enough and you dine outdoors, you’re likely to enjoy some entertainment including these champs performing gumboots dancing (an African dance performed by dancers wearing wellington boots) or young girls performing traditional South African dances, too.

Young Women dancing traditional African dances; Photo Copyright: Megy Karydes

South Africa is so rich in history and I’m looking forward to watching Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. Now I just need to find a place to view it. And, now that I think about it, where can I find some mogodu?