Why The Places Named After Nelson Mandela Tell A Deeper Story

Across South Africa and indeed the world, hundreds of streets, parks, bridges, and buildings proudly bear the name of Nelson Mandela. But what do these names really mean to the people who live near them, visit them, or simply pass by? Our recent publication reveals that these places are far more than just labels on a map or words on a signpost. They are living expressions of what we call “graphic heritage,” which is a blend of graphic design and urban heritage that shapes not only how we are connected with the past through history but also into the future through design.

Focusing on six places in Gauteng, our research explores how visual elements like statues, signs, lighting, and even QR codes help keep Mandela’s legacy alive. But more importantly, it shows how these elements evoke an emotional bond between people and place through topophilia. Take the Nelson Mandela Bridge, for example. Opened by Mandela himself in 2003, its rainbow-coloured lights were added ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a tribute to South Africa’s “rainbow nation”. Yet some parts of the bridge showed signs of neglect and vandalism before its recent refurbishment this year, which is a stark reminder that symbolic infrastructure needs care to retain its meaning. In contrast, Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton gleams with polished bronze statues and interactive displays, blending heritage with high-end retail. It’s a space where global tourism meets national pride, but just 50 kilometres away, in Mamelodi’s Nelson Mandela Park, only two modest municipal signs attribute the location to Mandela through the park name. Nothing more.

Despite being opened by Mandela in 1996, the park lacks consistent visual storytelling, which raises questions about whose legacies get celebrated and how. Perhaps the most moving example is Mandela Village in Hammanskraal. Home to a life-sized statue believed to be the first public sculpture of Mandela, the village embodies both hope and hardship. Residents speak of how Mandela’s name helped them secure land rights after apartheid. One local healer keeps his portrait in her home, saying, “If it weren’t for Mandela and his reputation, we wouldn’t have a place to stay”. Yet the community still battles unemployment, crime, and poor sanitation.

This research, conducted in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, doesn’t just document places, but it also reveals gaps. Where graphic heritage is well-maintained and thoughtfully designed, it fosters belonging and dialogue. Where it’s absent or decaying, it risks erasing the very values it was meant to uphold. We argue that preserving Mandela’s legacy isn’t just about statues or street signs but rather about ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in public memory. As South Africa continues to grapple with inequality and identity, these named places offer a powerful lens through which to examine who we are and who we aspire to be. In the end, naming a place after Mandela is not only the beginning but also the future. The real work lies in nurturing the connection between people, place, and purpose so that his legacy continues not just in stone and steel, but in everyday lives.

An exhibition titled 'Named after Nelson' brings these findings to life through photography and storytelling, inviting you to share your own experiences of places named after Mandela in South Africa and beyond. The exhibition is currently on display at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Art and Design Campus in Pretoria and is open to the public. If this research is interesting to you, please read our article here.

DID YOU KNOW: Nelson Mandela was also called "Madiba" because it is the name of his Thembu clan, a sign of deep respect and affection that connects him to his heritage and ancestry.