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Nestled in the heart of Soweto's vibrant Pimville neighbourhood, the Mandela-BMW Muse stands as a testament to South Africa's rich history and ground-breaking automotive heritage. This unique museum was meticulously curated by visionary Tumi Seleke, who envisioned an immersive experience that honours Nelson Mandela's journey from incarceration to freedom while celebrating the iconic BMW car he rode upon his release
At the centerpiece of our exhibit lies the very same BMW 7 Series limousine that transported Nelson Mandela after his historic release from prison on February 11, 1990. This vehicle serves not only as a symbol of liberation but also as a tangible reminder of the pivotal role played by the global auto industry during one of humanity's most challenging periods.
Beyond showcasing the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the BMW car, the Mandela-BMW Muse offers insightful glimpses into the lives of ordinary South Africans whose resilience and creativity helped shape their nation's future. From grassroots activism to innovative engineering solutions, each element within our exhibits highlights the indomitable spirit of the Rainbow Nation.
ABOUT THE CAR
At the heart of our exhibit lies the very BMW 7 Series limousine that carried Nelson Mandela to freedom on that historic day of February 11, 1990. This car, a demo BMW Seven series, was generously provided by the late Dr. Richard Maponya, a trailblazing South African businessperson and a close friend of Mandela. Maponya's own account of his time as Mandela's chauffeur and the close bond they shared adds a deeply personal dimension to the museum's narrative. Beside the driver in the lead car, Maponya himself was behind the wheel, with Mandela and his then-wife Winnie by his side.
On 27th April 1994 Nelson Mandela had become South Africa's first fully democratically elected president, and to mark the tenth anniversary of this historic event BMW South Africa and its employees donated their resources and time to build these special cars, while many of BMW's parts suppliers assisted the project by donating components.
Ex-president Mandela personally signed the interior of every one, and each was issued with an authenticating plaque. They were intended as fund raising vehicles to be auctioned across the world for the benefit of various charities, the principal recipient being the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
Individual Democracy Cars were exported to Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, the remainder being sold in South Africa. The example offered here is the UK Democracy Car, donated by BMW UK, which was auctioned at Madame Tussaud's in London in June 2005, selling to an anonymous bidder for £38,000. The proceeds of the 'Put Yourself in My Shoes' auction were split between the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the UK children's charities Norwood and Shine.
The current vendor bought the BMW from its original purchaser, a friend of his, in 2006. A manual transmission model finished in silver with black leather interior, 'RX55 BUO' has been maintained by BMW North Oxford and comes with full service history, complete book pack, spare key, torch, etc. Currently displaying a total of 46,000 miles on the odometer, the car is described as in generally very good condition and offered with current MoT/tax and V5C registration document.
The car is to be sold without reserve, presenting a unique opportunity for anyone to bid on this piece of South African democratic history.