New app helps visitors to South Africa follow in Mandela’s footsteps

A new app has been created by South African Tourism with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

A new app has been created by South African Tourism with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

It details a series of tourist attractions inspired by the late South African president and anti-apartheid leader.

The app is called Madiba, after the affectionate clan name used by South Africans for Mandela, and features places of interest in the four main provinces that defined the former president’s life.

Locations range from Qunu in the Eastern Cape where Mandela is buried, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, where he was imprisoned.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the former president’s release.

The GPS-enabled app uses location-based services to establish which attraction the user is visiting and provides real-time information to enrich their experience. This includes written and audio descriptions on the attraction and other relevant information, including contact details, map previews and photo galleries.

It also allows users to share their experiences on social media and features a rewards system linked to visitors’ social media activity.

The app is based on a ‘Madiba-inspired tourist attractions’ map launched last year to encourage tourists to travel the country and walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela.

It is available for download from the Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

Derek Hanekom, South Africa’s tourism minister, said: “As we remember the historic year of Madiba’s release from prison, we would like to encourage everyone to use the app to discover some of the stories behind the legend.

“This app has some of the best attractions, places of interests and unique content we have ever been able to put together and greatly enriches visitors’ experiences of discovering one of the greatest men of our time.”