News
A comrade remembered
Jan 13, 2009 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation remembers Cleopas Madoda Nsibande, a long-time comrade in the struggle against apartheid, who passed away on December 26, 2008 at the age of 80.
Nsibande joined the African National Congress in 1951 and was a founder of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (Sactu) in 1955.
He was buried on January 3, 2009 in Tamboville Cemetery after an official funeral attended by President Kgalema Motlanthe and former President Thabo Mbeki. It is the cemetery where his close confidante Oliver Tambo was laid to rest in 1993.
Statement from the Foundation on the death of Helen Suzman
Jan 1, 2009 – Following the announcement by her family that Helen Suzman passed away at age 91 this morning, I would like to express the deepest condolences from the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Our country has lost a great patriot and a fearless fighter against apartheid.
We remember how Mrs Suzman was one of the very few members of Parliament who protested against apartheid legislation, including the May 1, 1963 promulgation of the General Law Amendment Act or “the Ninety Day Detention Law” – the beginning of South Africa’s notorious system of detention without trial.
Questions now, answers in 2031
Dec 2, 2008 – “It’s an enormous responsibility, but there’s an opportunity to strategically influence the course of the epidemic [HIV/AIDS] in the future.”
Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Achmat Dangor was speaking at an aids2031 strategy meeting today, aimed at finding ways to change the future for SADC countries with extremely high HIV prevalence rates.
Public asked to respect Mr Mandela’s privacy
Nov 24, 2008 – Nelson Mandela receives an average of 4 000 messages a month from people throughout the world. Of course, many of these messages pay tribute to Mr Mandela and wish him well. Equally, many are requests, mostly for his signature, a message of support, an endorsement, a public appearance or an interview.
Mr Mandela is 90 years old and in 2004 he publically announced his intention to step away from public life. Since then he has steadily reduced his engagements, and he now appears at public events only in extraordinary circumstances.
Nelson Mandela congratulates Barack Obama
Nov 8, 2008 – Nelson Mandela has written a personal letter to Barack Obama, congratulating him on his election as the president of the United States of America.
In the letter, Madiba applauds Obama’s commitment to supporting the cause of peace and security around the world, and encourages him to make it the mission of his presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere.
Nelson Mandela’s speeches in 2008
Oct 31, 2008 – As we near the end of 2008 and the celebrations for Mr Mandela’s 90th birthday have begun to abate, we look back at his words of wisdom presented at various occasions in his honour.
Mr Mandela is fully retired and he seldom makes speeches. However, in this very special year, he chose to address a range of issues. This retrospective includes, in alphabetical order, speeches made at: an ANC birthday rally in Tshwane; the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Annual Lecture in Kliptown, Soweto; a children’s celebration in Johannesburg; a fundraising dinner in London for the 46664 HIV/AIDS awareness campaign; and at the 46664 concert, also in London.
