News – Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Zapiro leaves his mark

South Africa’s premier political cartoonist pays tribute to Madiba

18 November 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Publications

November 19, 2008 – An exhibition of cartoons of Nelson Mandela by Zapiro has opened as the last of six exhibitions to commemorate Mr Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s CEO, Achmat Dangor, launched the exhibition at the Foundation offices. Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro) talked about his interactions with Madiba, both in print and in person.

New, extensive exhibition opens on Nelson Mandela

Apartheid Museum exhibition took more than a year to put together, and will travel extensively

8 November 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

November 8, 2008 – Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu opened the exhibition Mandela, focusing on Nelson Mandela as a leader, comrade, negotiator, prisoner and statesman, at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg today.

The exhibition, which was developed in partnership between the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Apartheid Museum and the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, is made up of photographs, videos and artifacts, which include the car that Mercedes Benz workers made for Mandela while he was president of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela congratulates Barack Obama

Madiba wishes new US President strength and fortitude for challenging days and years ahead

8 November 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

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

Words of wisdom in Nelson Mandela’s 90th year

31 October 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

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.

Billy Nair passes away

Madiba writes to Nair shortly before his death

23 October 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Oct 23, 2008 – Veteran anti-apartheid activist and former political prisoner, Billy Nair, passed away on Thursday, October 23, at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban. He was 78 years old.

Incarcerated for 20 years on Robben Island for sabotage as an Umkhonto weSizwe operative, Nair was held in the same section of the prison as Nelson Mandela and the other Rivonia Trialists.

Madiba’s sympathy with family of Nzimeni Elliot Mfaxa

Treason Trialist dies at age of 83

21 October 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Oct 21, 2008 – One of the former 1956 Treason Trialists who took part in a reunion with Nelson Mandela in March this year, has passed away.

Nzimeni Elliot Mfaxa passed away on October 16 at home in Tyutyu Village, outside King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, after an asthma attack. He was 83.

Madiba mourns the death of Esther Barsel

Friend and comrade of Mr Mandela passes away

8 October 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Oct 8, 2008 – Almost three months to the day after joining her old friend and comrade, Nelson Mandela and others, for a 90th birthday lunch, life-long activist Esther Barsel passed away in Johannesburg on Monday, October 6.

Food and comics tell Mr Mandela’s story

A new take on history attracts international attention

1 October 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Publications

Oct 1, 2008 – Nelson Mandela must be one of the best-documented historical figures internationally, with no shortage of reading material telling his heroic life story.

The two most recent authorised additions to a long list of published books about his life, however, take a decidedly different approach to the story of the first president of democratic South Africa.

Launched on July 5 and July 16, 2008 respectively, A Hunger for Freedom and Nelson Mandela: The Authorised Comic Book take a refreshing new look at the life of Madiba.

Madiba receives June 16 commemorative statue

Hector Pieterson’s sister presents statue to Mr Mandela

30 September 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Sept 30, 2008 – Former President Nelson Mandela was today presented with a statue from Antoinette Sithole, the sister of the late Hector Pieterson, the first victim of police bullets in the 16 June 1976 uprising.

The statue, which is based on the famous photograph by Sam Nzima of Mbuyisa Makhubu carrying the wounded 12-year-old Pieterson with Ms Sithole running alongside, includes a new element – that of Mr Mandela standing in front of the group with his arms outstretched.

Engraved on the plinth are the words “Celebrating the truism that each generation stands on the shoulders of the achievements of previous generations”.

Competition winners meet their heroes

Learners meet Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu at awards ceremony

23 September 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Sept 23, 2008 – Twelve learners from across South Africa, who were winners in a competition about Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, met their two heroes at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg.

The learners, ranging in age from six to 18, won prizes for their creative expressions in honour of the two struggle stalwarts in their 90th years. Mr Mandela turned 90 on July 18 this year and MaSisulu turns 90 on October 21.