Welcome to The Rainbow Experience

an authentic display of the spirit of ubuntu in various artistic forms that explore humanity and freedom in South Africa

The Rainbow Experience is one of Cape Town's newest cultural landmarks located in the heart of the city in the stylish Mandela Rhodes Place on Church Street. This inspiring multi-level concept store is centered around Nelson Mandela, his legacy, life journey and the creativity and enterprising spirit of the people of the Rainbow Nation.

The Rainbow Experience invites visitors of all ages to experience a showcase of exceptional South African artistic expression, inspiring events and creative workshops. Come and explore your creativity, sit in our contemporary public gallery, watch a documentary film of Nelson Mandela's legendary life journey and hear SA's finest musicians jamming. Or simply soak in the colours of the Rainbow... and the spirit of ubuntu.

This destination store seamlessly incorporates a niche bookstore, wholesome cafe, internet pods & free WiFi, a showcase gallery and shop in one relaxed retail environment - allowing you to either choose one experience or spill over to new ones! The interiors are well-designed for ease of flow as you browse through and participate in the finest local music, art, crafts, fashion, literature and cuisine The Rainbow Experience has to offer.

This inspiring venue offers an individually selected CD Collection of SA's and Africa's most talented musicians, designer crafts on exhibition including jewellery, delicate beadmaking, clothing & shoes, bags and postcards. The Rainbow Experience's bookstore showcases a selection of South Africa's finest writers, poets and artists. A main feature of the bookstore is a comprehensive section of popular books about the life of Nelson Mandela. The store is also home to the hand-print paintings of Nelson Mandela and South African struggle icons.

This unique destination store has further extended its offering to include The Rainbow Room Jazz basement venue which features SA's finest musicians twice a week, a series of creative workshops such as storytelling, kids crafts, beadmaking & painting as well as regular events including fashion shows, exhibitions, book talks, Hip Hop/Poetry, Food & Wine tastings and Sheila Nights - for the ladies!

The Rainbow Experience enjoys close proximity (less than 1km) to the busy Cape Town city centre and the popular historic and cultural museums including the Iziko Slave Museum, National Gallery, National Museum and Company Gardens. It can be easily accessed by foot or via taxi or bus from most Cape Town central hotels. The Rainbow Experience has on site parking and the building is covered by security surveillance.


VISITING TIMES

The Rainbow Experience, Mandela Rhodes Place, 23 Church Street, Cape Town.

Bookings required for Tours & Groups

Schools and Family Visits Welcome

Eating & Drinking is allowed in Colours Cafe.

The facility is geared for corporate events.

Photography is allowed throughout the venue unless otherwise specified.

Interpark parking on Burg Street with direct access to Mandela Rhodes Place

Directional Map available here.

The Rainbow Experience is becoming a popular destination and offers a wide range of experiences. Explore your creativity through art, writing, craft or design workshops or perhaps learn a language or instrument. Explore the Rainbow Experience during your next visit to Cape Town.

The charm of The Rainbow Experience can be further extended as the store is located in the Mandela Rhodes Place lifestyle centre offering premium accomodation in a lifestyle centre housing fine restaurants, upmarket bars, designer fashion stores, luxury goods stores and a luxurious Spa.

The Rainbow Experience first opened its doors during the inaugural Ubuntu Festival on Mandela Day as a tribute to Nelson Rolihlala Mandela, the first democratic president of South Africa. The Rainbow Experience honours the great man affectionately known as "Madiba" and his belief in the philosophy of ubuntu. This destination store is set around the story of the life and leadership of Madiba. Nelson Mandela's life and times are celebrated and illustrated in a beautiful way through an inspiring and emotional documentary and a selection of popular books and various works of art and designer crafts.

The Rainbow Experience also pays tribute to icons of the struggle for freedom: Nelson Rohlihlala Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, cricketer Basil D'Oliveira and Miriam Makeba who are each individually featured in a beautiful and vibrant oil painting in The Rainbow Room as a reminder of the legend in each of us.

Committed to creating a flagship for the global philosophy of mankind and ubuntu, business partners Alison McCutcheon and Frank Gormley are supporting Mandela's vision of educating and building outstanding leaders in Africa by sustaining revenue streams to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation through The Rainbow Experience.


EVENTS

Contact: Belinda - 021 422 1428 / manager@therainbowexperience.co.za

 

 

DETAILS

WHEN

TIME

TYRED Art Exhibition - 10 Designers, 10 Blank Chairs, 10 original custom designs

When is a tyre not a tyre? When it is being used as Sustainable lifestyle furniture! Showcasing the talent of 10 young South African artists, TYRED was started only a few months ago.  Without melting or cutting, tyres have been left in their original shape, but with a little bit of imagination, have been transformed into unique masterpieces. A large portion of the proceeds from sales of the exhibited pieces will go to the Men on the Side of the Road charity. Join the artists for snacks and drinks at the Rainbow Experience on Monday 12 of April at 6PM for the opening showcase.

 

1-24th April 2010.   

All Day Every Day

 

Freedom and Art Exhibition

This International exhibition from the Mirca Group is coming to South Africa from all over the world. It is in support of Aang San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize winning peace activist who stands for the rights of individuals, freedom and democracy in the face of a brutal dictatorship in Burma. This exhibition will move and inspire you. Proceeds will be split between Amnesty International, the artists and the gallery.  The artwork of 74 talented artists representing 27 countries from around the world is all recorded in the book Freedom & Art.  The book will be on sale along with the exhibited works which have been sent here from many of these artists.  Most of the artists have never met face to face, but share one common interest, a passion for freedom and art. The opening will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 28th April and is open to the public. Guests can enjoy the exhibition, drinks and snacks and write messages of hope and freedom on rice papaer fire lanterns. As a special dedication to Aung San Suu Kyi, these lanterns will be let off into the sky and messages of support will travel into the night. 

 

From 28 April 2010 

All Day Every Day

 

Click here for more event details.