Memorialising Madiba in South Africa The Role of Graphic Heritage and Toponymy in two Contrasting Urban Places

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Cover image: A public space in Johannesburg. Credit: GIZ VCP, Inclusive violence and crime prevention programme.
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Published: Dec 31, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32891/jps.v7i1.1571
Keywords:
Nelson Mandela public spaces South Africa graphic heritage placemaking

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Robert George Harland
Loughborough University
Yolandi Burger
Loughborough University
Alison Barnes
University of Western Sydney
Everardt Andre Burger
Tshwane University of Technology

Abstract

Hundreds of public places across the world are named in honour of Nelson Mandela. However, there is no consistent level of expectation in terms of what we might learn about this great man when visiting these places. This paper examines an explanatory hypothesis that the process of place naming involving people – and any material representations that then refer to that person – not only offers the opportunity to learn about that person but also impacts one's experience and understanding of place. We refer to these material representations as 'graphic heritage.' We examine two highly contrasting urban places named after Mandela (also known as Madiba by South Africans), namely Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, and Nelson Mandela Park in Mamelodi, Pretoria in South Africa. In looking for traces of his values and legacy using graphic heritage, our methodological approach is guided by the design inquiry method of Zeisel, which uses annotated diagrams, observations of physical traces, and photo-documentation of these spaces. We position graphic heritage as an empirical research tool and as a form of critical inquiry that reveals very much (Sandton) and very little (Mamelodi) about the former president and rebel leader. The findings reveal contrasting settings and significantly different levels of access, diverse motivations through the naming acts, and differing levels of attentiveness to the visual-aesthetic considerations shown by those responsible for the two sites.

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How to Cite
Harland, R. G., Burger, Y., Barnes, A. and Burger, E. A. (2022) “Memorialising Madiba in South Africa: The Role of Graphic Heritage and Toponymy in two Contrasting Urban Places”, The Journal of Public Space, 7(1), pp. 17–36. doi: 10.32891/jps.v7i1.1571.
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2022): Public Space and Placemaking in African Cities
Section
Academic
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Author Biographies

Robert George Harland, Loughborough University

Robert Harland holds the position of Reader in Urban Graphic Heritage at Loughborough University. From approximately 2015 to the present, his ongoing research delves into the intricate dynamics of urban environments through the study of graphic objects, with a unique focus on the convergence of graphic design and urban design. Notably, his exploration of urban heritage has led to impactful collaborations with esteemed institutions such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation, UNESCO-UK, Bradford UNESCO City of Film, and Shanghai UNESCO City of Design. Through these partnerships, he has spearheaded several innovative cross-disciplinary initiatives, setting the stage for his upcoming monograph, slated for publication by Bloomsbury in 2026. This forthcoming work builds upon the foundation laid by his earlier book, 'Graphic Design in Urban Environments,' published by Bloomsbury in 2016. Since 2018, Robert Harland has assumed a leadership role in Loughborough University's Urbanism research endeavours, further expanding upon his contributions as a founding member of the Leicester Urban Observatory in 2015. A testament to his dedication to fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange, he established the Graphic Design Research Unit in 2019. This visionary unit serves as a global nexus for researchers spanning Australia, Brazil, China, South Africa, and the UK, united by their shared interest in advancing the frontiers of graphic design research.

Yolandi Burger, Loughborough University

Yolandi Burger has spent over a decade navigating the creative, educational, and research realms. Her fervour finds its home at the crossroads of Graphic Heritage, interweaving graphic design, urban design, toponymy, tourism, culture, and heritage. Her collaborative resonance extends to significant partners such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa. In a current venture, Yolandi, alongside creative industry collaborators and an international research team at Loughborough University, is delving into exploring public spaces bearing the name of Nelson Mandela in a poignant tribute that compliments the area of graphic heritage. In addition, Yolandi possesses expertise in design curriculum development across a spectrum of domains, including graphic design, design thinking, co-design, experience design, and design methodology. This multifaceted approach mirrors her holistic view of education, shaping students into well-rounded individuals prepared for the diverse landscape of design.

Alison Barnes, University of Western Sydney

Dr Alison Barnes is a Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication and a member of the Institute of Culture and Society at Western Sydney University, Australia. Alison is the author of Creative Representations of Place (Routledge, 2019), and her research focuses on the differing roles graphic design can play in the mediation, construction, and communication of everyday life, belonging and identity. Alison’s current research centres on ‘graphic heritage’, which can be defined as any object through which we experience or are informed about heritage in graphic form. She is currently exploring graphic heritage in relation to ideas of critical toponymy and placemaking; sports stadia and supporter identity and rituals; and gentrification and design literacy, particularly in diverse urban contexts. The analysis of such graphic heritage offers a nuanced understanding of ways communities and places reflect their differing histories and heritages and, in doing so, create everyday heritage spaces. Alison is also part of a team of chief investigators working on the Australian Research Council funded Linkage project, ‘The Collaborative Museum: Embedding Cultural Infrastructure in the City’.

Everardt Andre Burger, Tshwane University of Technology

Everardt Burger has been involved in diverse academic teams within public universities over the past decade, spearheading a wide array of modules showcasing his multifaceted teaching capabilities. His teaching journey has been marked by a steady progression from hands-on laboratory guidance and dynamic classroom lecturing to an emerging research career. A focal point of his professional prowess resides in urban planning and transportation engineering. Everardt has embraced collaborative efforts akin to those of the other authors of this paper, including a partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. In this capacity, he explores public spaces named after Nelson Mandela from an urban design and planning perspective. His research within this partnership contributes to a deeper understanding of how urban spaces can honour and amplify the legacy of a revered figure like Nelson Mandela while fostering inclusive and vibrant communities.

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