All aboard for the KZN Freedom Route tour

A BUS trip that travels the paths crossed by world icons Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi got on the road today in Kwazulu-natal.

The 16-seater KZN Freedom Route Tour bus, emblazoned with the faces of former president Mandela and passive resistance campaigner Gandhi, will transport visitors from North

Beach in Durban to various iconic attractions that influenced culture, recorded heritage, changed history and contributed to shaping South Africa.

Among the places visited is the Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute, Pietermaritzburg City Hall, the Gandhi statue in Pietermaritzburg, The Tatham Gallery, Comrades Gantry, the railway station, Old Prison/project Gateway, Arya Samaj Manaye Hall and the Mandela Capture Site in Howick.

The Freedom Route Tour Bus is the brainchild of Di Milford of Project Gateway and Bunny Bhoola, director of African Link Travel and Tours, together with roleplayers from the various sites.

Bhoola said she was happy the bus was finally taking off.

“When we first discussed the idea, the railway station had not been upgraded and the Capture site had not been developed.

“The past 15 years have seen growth at all these key iconic places. We now have a collection of iconic buildings that are world class to present to local and international visitors.”

She said people would get to experience history and local heritage.

“Where in the world do you have such rich history that involves influential icons like Mandela and Gandhi? Within a 25km radius one was thrown off a train while the other was captured.

“It is important to tell their stories,” said Bhoola.

A bus ride from Durban costs

R1 250 a person and includes entrance to venues and bottled water, but excludes entrance to the capture site. The cost for only the Pietermaritzburg tour is R250, excluding lunch and capture site entrance.