A new heritage site called the Learning Centre will open in northern Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2008.

The historic facility will be located at Liliesleaf Farm, formerly the secret headquarters of the military arm of the African National Congress (ANC) during the struggle against the Apartheid regime.

On 11 July 1963 commander in chief Nelson Mandela and other senior leaders of the ANC were arrested during a police raid at the farm and sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment at the infamous Rivonia Trial.

A museum, resource centre and liberation centre housed within the site’s restored historical buildings will display material records and critical theoretical writings on the struggle to provide an insight into the political movement’s ideology and the events running up to liberation.

Liliesleaf Trust has raised R63m (£4.6m, 6.4m euro, US$9.5m) from the private sector and the South African government towards the project to ensure that the heritage, history and legacy of Liliesleaf Farm are preserved.