Liliesleaf occupies a momentous place in South African history and socio-cultural evolution, as it was the site responsible for breaking the resounding political 'silence' of the 1960s. Originally purchased in 1961 by the South African Communist Party Liliesleaf is recognised by the ANC as the birthplace of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the ANC and the Congress Alliance. Liliesleaf's Board of Trustees has embraced the need for a wider public audience to hear the stories of South Africa's political past and has created an interactive museum experience to preserve the stories of the past so that they can be told to future generations.

Set to open in June 2008, Liliesleaf will narrate the liberation activities that took place on the property 44 years ago through informative interactive and experiential displays. Complementing the physical infrastructures which once housed the deepest secrets of a nation in racial turmoil, Liliesleaf has established the Resource Centre to broaden the channels of learning about South Africa's political history and democratic identity.

This research centre will avail authentic struggle literature and documents pertaining to the apartheid era, and it is envisaged that National Archives will undertake the upkeep of the Archive Centre. The Resource Centre will form part of the Learning Centre which also showcases the historical buildings, Liberation Path, and the Liberation Centre.

Once complete, the Liberation Centre will house a créche, curio and coffee shop, an information and ticket reception, permanent and temporary exhibits and a sixty-six seat auditorium. Liberation Centre will also mark the beginning of the visitors' 'journey of enlightenment', from struggle to liberation to transformation. The world-class auditorium will show an introductory film which will set the historical and political context for the visitor. From the Liberation Centre the visitor will make their way through the historical buildings and structures which will offer them an interactive experience.

At the Rivonia Trialist Reunion held at Liliesleaf in December 2001 President Thabo Mbeki announced the establishment of the Liliesleaf Trust. The Trust aims to ensure that the unique heritage, history and legacy of Liliesleaf Farm are preserved.

The Rivonia Trial exposed the oppressive nature and hypocrisy of the apartheid system to the rest of the world. The trial showed how repression could be exerted over the majority in order to protect the privileges of a minority; it ultimately portrayed courage of the Trialists born out of deep-rooted beliefs and ideals.

The Rivonia Trial contains lessons for South Africa and for the rest of the world: it exposed the hypocrisy of apartheid; it showed how repression could be exerted over the majority in order to protect the privileges of a minority; it ultimately portrayed courage born out of ideals and deep-rooted beliefs.

For all of these reasons, among others, the Liliesleaf Trust warrants respect and admiration. Historical legacies, or the memory thereof, are important frameworks for nation and identity-building, two important processes in any post-conflict period.
Ana Leao, ISS Today

"Liliesleaf was an old house that needed work and no one lived there. I moved in under the pretext that I was a houseboy or caretaker that would live there until my master took possession. I had taken the alias David Motsamayi, the name of one of my former clients. At the farm, I wore the simple blue overalls that were the uniform of the black male servant."
Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

Historical legacies, or the memory thereof, are important frameworks for nation and identity-building, two important processes in any post-conflict period.

The Liliesleaf Legacy Project

The Liliesleaf Trust aims to ensure that the unique heritage, history and legacy of Liliesleaf Farm is preserved. At the core of this project is the restoration and preservation of the historical buildings and structures of Liliesleaf Farm. This restoration uses only original brick and material, thus ensuring that the essence, spirit and soul of Liliesleaf is maintained for current and future generations.

The Liliesleaf Trust is very fortunate in that it has approximately 60% of the original buildings and structures still standing. These include:
- The Manor House
- The Thatched Cottage
- The Outhouse Buildings
- The Water Tank “Coal Bunker”
- The outbuildings were uncovered during the course of archaeological excavation. It was from these very buildings and structures that liberation   activity, dialogue and planning took place.

The Resource Centre will give academics, scholars, the public, and local and international tourists access to historical material, records and critical theoretical writings on the struggle, thus enabling them to gain insight into the events and ideology that defined the liberation struggle against the apartheid regime. The Liberation Centre will be the starting point of the visitors “journey of enlightenment”, from Struggle to Liberation and Transformation. This multipurpose venue will house:

- A Creche, Curio and Coffee Shop
- An Information and Ticket Reception
- Permanent and Temporary Exhibits
- A 66 seater Auditorium

The Significance of Liliesleaf to the Struggle Against Apartheid

Liliesleaf is uniquely connected with the Rivonia trial - which came to represent the essence of the liberation struggle and focused world attention on South Africa. The media surrounding the trial and the harsh sentencing of the accused catapulted the atrocities of South Africa onto the international stage. The trialists became international icons of a struggle against an oppressive regime.

In addition, Liliesleaf Farm is acknowledged to be the birth place of MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe - Spear of the Nation). MK was the military wing of the ANC, and the farm was the nerve centre from which the MK leadership planned the struggle for liberation and justice.

It was at Liliesleaf farm where the high command met to plan Operation Mayibuye – the plan to overthrow the apartheid regime. The outhouse buildings on Liliesleaf housed the printing presses which were producing freedom literature; And it was from the brick structure that the inhabitants of the farm broadcast the first test of radio freedom using the lightening conductor as an Arial transmitter.

Book to tour Liliesleaf

Liliesleaf Farm will begin taking international and domestic bookings from the start of October 2007, with an official opening to follow in June 2008. Once open, local and international tourists, academics, scholars, and the public, will have access to the historical structures and buildings, material records and critical theoretical writings on the struggle, providing an insight into the events and ideology that defined the liberation struggle against the apartheid regime. Visitors will be able to walk in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous freedom fighters and experience sections of the Farm as the Rivonia Trialists did almost forty years ago.