On this Mandela Day, 18 July 2019, The Conservatory at The Cellars-Hohenort will host an evening to celebrate the friendship of Madiba and Christo Brand, his former prison guard. Spend your 67 minutes with Christo who will reflect on this meaningful relationship with Mandela and will take guests on a narrative journey from the time of his meeting with Madiba right up until the very end when he placed his hands on Madiba’s coffin. Christo and Mandela developed a close camaraderie over the course of many years – and Christo released his book, Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend in 2014.

Christo first came to Robben Island, where Mandela was being held, in 1978 when he was only 19 years old. He was one of serveral men who were responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela while he was incarcerated under the Apartheid regime. In 1982 Christo was transferred with Mandela to Pollsmoor Prison. Christo retired from Robben Island on 31 July 2018 in order to pursue story-telling on a full-time basis and reflect on the insights gained through his relationship with a powerful figure in South Africa’s socio-political history.

For the Mandela Day event the evening will start with a welcome drink and Christo will begin to share his story shortly thereafter. He will continue his presentation all through the 3-course meal to follow, concluding his narrative after dessert.

Price: R400 per person, includes 3-course dinner, excludes beverages
Date & Time: Thursday, 18 July at 19h00
Venue: The Conservatory Restaurant
Book Signing: After dinner, copies of the book are sold separately

Bookings are essential as places are limited.

A percentage of the proceeds of this event will be donated to Sisters Incorporated who aims to help every woman, teenager and child in crisis heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.