Chancellor House

Fashion District, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa

A modest three-story building in the Ferreirasdorp area of Johannesburg, Chancellor House once contained the first black law firm in South Africa, opened by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo at the height of apartheid. It was here that the two attorneys fought for those accused of crimes against the state—many of which they were also held accountable for later in life.

Left to languish for years, Chancellor House was restored to its former glory in 2010 and now features a freedom struggle museum on the ground floor. One particularly fascinating display includes a timeline with photographs and interesting events from Mandela’s life, including a picture of him sparring with Jerry Moloi on the rooftop of the South African Associated Newspapers Building. Many of the displays are also visible from the street so passersby can learn more about Mandela and Tambo while exploring the surrounding neighborhood.

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Mandela's and Tambo's office restored

Chancellor House, where Mandela and Tambo officed in the 50’s is being restored. They were the first blacks to have their own law firm. It hasn’t opened yet as of May 2012 but is very close. They already have a lot of great pictures and historical narratives in the windows.

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