Liliesleaf
Liliesleaf was the site responsible for breaking the resounding political silence of the 1960s and represents a beacon on the landscape of national and international memory. A farm of 28-acres, Liliesleaf had been purchased in 1961 by the South African Communist Party as a meeting place for the Politburo. Liliesleaf, 12 miles from the Johannesburg city centre, was purchased because it was in a secluded and isolated area of Rivonia at that time.
In 1960 South Africa was in the grip of an overwhelmingly oppressive apartheid regime and on 21 March 1960, a peaceful protest against apartheid laws resulted in the Security Police killing 67 unarmed demonstrators and injuring over 180. This was The Sharpeville Massacre, and many of those killed and injured were women and children. There was an immediate uproar amongst the oppressed and the following week saw demonstrations, protest marches, strikes and riots around the country. The Communist Party (in 1950) and the African National Congress (in 1960) had been banned and were forced to go underground. The events of Sharpeville were seminal within themselves as they forced the ANC to move away from passive resistance to armed struggle. The purchase of Liliesleaf coincided with the ANCs shift to armed struggle.
It was on 11 July 1963 that members of the Security Police raided the farm after an anonymous tip-off that Walter Sisulu was in hiding at Liliesleaf. The leadership that assembled had done so with the intention that this would be their last gathering at Liliesleaf and that after discussion about Operation Mayibuye, ironically translated as "The Return", they would relocate. The consequences of the raid were disastrous to the internal struggle and the liberation movement. The raid on Liliesleaf led to the arrest of a number of key leaders of the High Command, stalling the momentum of the liberation struggle in the process. The arrests and subsequent trial however, catapulted South Africa's prevailing socio-political conditions into the international spotlight.
Liliesleaf aims to bring the events that took place in Rivonia over 45 years ago into South Africas current socio-political context by allowing the original infrastructures to recreate the living and working environment at the time of the raid. The restoration process was a collaborative effort between archaeological findings, oral recollections and archival and historical research to document the history of the liberation struggle for current and future generations.
The Syrene Boutique Hotel
Hotel / Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Rivonia
0km from Rivonia
1.2 Km from LiliesleafThe Syrene is a friendly, professionally run four star boutique hotel featuring the luxury of business class travel. As the name suggests our guests will experience a quiet, private and tranquil setting offering best in class accommodation... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Rivonia Premier Lodge
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Rivonia
0km from Rivonia
1.4 Km from LiliesleafRivonia Premier Lodge offers bed and breakfast and self catering and is strategically located in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, with easy access to major highways. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac with a large rambling garden. Guests can relax on the pool …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Grosvenor Inn
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Bryanston, Johannesburg
0km from Bryanston, Johannesburg
4.1 Km from LiliesleafGrosvenor Inn provides spacious bed and breakfast accommodation in Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg. "The most outstanding quality of the Grosvenor Inn is the welcoming and friendly atmosphere created by the management and staff who go to great lengths... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Roosters Nest BnB
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Glenferness
0km from
5.1 Km from LiliesleafWelcome to The Roosters Nest BnB, a family owned and -run guesthouse which is set in beautiful tranquil country surroundings, and boasts a beautiful lush garden with lots of old, big trees which offer a restful country feel. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Acacia House Executive Suite
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Kelvin
0km from Kelvin
5.5 Km from LiliesleafAcacia House Executive Suite offers bed and breakfast and dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in Kelvin, a tranquil suburb of Sandton, Johannesburg. An exclusive private suite, comprising accommodation for a single business professional or a couple. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Littlefields Luxury Self Catering Suite
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Randburg
0km from Randburg
7.6 Km from LiliesleafModern Luxury Self Catering Suite in Olivedale (Non Smoking) with:Separate Entrance. Smoking Section Outside Secure High Wall with Safe Parking. In Safe Boomed off Area. Marble and wooden floors. Combined Lounge Kitchen with Full DSTV... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Glenda's Guest Suites
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Blue Hills
0km from
8 Km from LiliesleafSet in the tranquility of the enclosed and secured equestrian estate, Beaulieu, Midrand. Upmarket, attractive accommodation at reasonable prices. Designed for the corporate and equestrian markets, but suitable also for private use, our comfortable... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Residency Jellicoe
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Rosebank, Johannesburg
0km from Rosebank, Johannesburg
10 Km from LiliesleafLocated centrally in the affluent and upmarket area of Rosebank, The Residency Jellicoe offers our valued guests the option of three different apartment types: A hotel room, a one-bedroom apartment, or a two-bedroom apartment, allowing for the... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Hoopoe Haven Self-catering Cottages
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Chartwell
0km from
10.1 Km from LiliesleafHoopoe Haven situated in beautiful Chartwell, Gauteng. It is a place to relax and unwind in the peace and quiet of the countryside. There's variety of self-catering accommodation available to suite groups from 1 person to 50. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Panhandle Place Cottages
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Johannesburg
0km from
10.3 Km from LiliesleafPanhandle Place Cottages are lovely self-catering units in a beautiful garden setting with views of the Johannesburg city skyline. We are centrally placed in an old Johannesburg suburb with tree-lined streets, safe for walking and jogging. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- The Bryanston Organic & Natural Market (2.62km)
- Sisters with Blisters (2.90km)
- JoziX (2.91km)
- Energizer Night Trail Run (3.40km)
- The BMW International Polo Series (Jhb) (3.84km)
- Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure & Travel Experience (3.87km)
- World of Golf (4.21km)
- The Teatro at Monte Casino (4.31km)
- Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge and Expo (4.32km)
- Oktober Bierfest Johannesburg (4.35km)
- Monte Casino (4.38km)
- Carols by Candlelight under African Skies (4.44km)
- South African Tattoo (4.48km)
- Montecasino Leisure Complex (4.49km)
- Pieter Toeriens Montecasino Theatre (4.49km)
- Nandos Johannesburg Comedy Festival (4.50km)
- Pick n Pay Taste of Joburg (4.51km)
- LItalia in Piazza (4.66km)
- Kyalami Race Circuit (4.85km)
- Bryanston Country Club (4.95km)
