What an experience, an architectural master piece. Seeing the museum from far away as we drove towards it, immediately got my heart rate rising. When entering the museum the mere size and design of it was overwhelming. We first had an amazing lunch with Dr. Andreas Wetzel and Joanne Dittrich, who provided us with much insights into the German economy, foreign investments and how they perceive the South African economy. It was interesting to know that South Africa was ranked amongst the Top Ten non-European countries to whom Germany would engage in trade. Fun fact is that Germany exports nearly 8 Billion Euro to South Africa and whilst South Africa exports 5 billion Euro to Germany.
The museum started with a small film about Mercedes, or as they call it Daimler. After the film we all received an audio device that would take is on a journey through time. Being a big car fan as well as history fan, this museum provided much insight on the development of not only Mercedes Benz but how the whole global community developed to what it is today. From the first car to the very first zero emission car, this trip down memory lane gave me the opportunity to learn about how we as humans developed. What surprised me the most is that even the release of Nelson Mandela was seen as a huge benchmark in human history. I truly felt proudly South African.
The whole museum trip took about an hour and a half, but although our legs were hurting and we wanted to sit, this museum was a once in a life time opportunity that I would not do half heartedly. The one thing that really blew my mind was the build in race course on the second floor with all the famous racing cars that Mercedes had ever built. The whole trip ended with a stroll through the shop, which I thought was a little bit expensive (that might just be the South African in me speaking). After the amazing lunch, film, museum trip and shop a smoke break was well deserved.

(Emil Reinertz)