The History of Our Guest House

Denis Goldberg, the youngest of the Rivonia Trialists and the only white person among them, was sentenced to imprisonment along with Nelson Mandela.

After serving 22 years of his sentence in a "whites only" jail, he was released.

Denis often stayed at our guesthouse, which has now become Sandton Spring Guesthouse.

He loved the tranquillity of the guesthouse and the friendliness of management and staff. He also appreciated the close proximity to Liliesleaf Farm.

During his many stays, Denis told us how Nelson Mandela, while in hiding from the Security Police, took on the role of gardener. To ensure his safety and cover, Mandela worked in the garden of 66A Stiglingh Road, which was a private home at that time.

There is no documented proof of this, but Denis Goldberg delighted in telling this story, often saying he felt Nelson Mandela's presence here.