News – Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

Relief for victims of violence

Nelson Mandela organisations give R1-million to relief fund

29 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 29, 2008 The family of Nelson Mandela organisations – the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, the 46664 campaign and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund – will donate R1-million to the Operation ReachOut project for victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

Talking about what’s just ...

Foundation’s Memory Programme inspires international dialogue

29 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 29, 2008 – Verne Harris, head of the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Memory Programme, recently presented a paper at an international conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His paper, titled “Ethics at the Endgame”, explored the concept of archives and justice in South African contexts.

Archives and the Ethics of Memory Construction, which brought together people from different disciplines to discuss issues related to archives, was the second international conference inspired by a colloquium hosted by the Foundation in 2005.  The 2005 colloquium explored the concept of “Memory for Justice”, the slogan of the Memory Programme at the Foundation.

Commemorating Africa Day

Let’s make hope into a reality

23 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 23, 2008 – Africa Day was first marked on May 25, 1963 with the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002.

This 25th anniversary should be a day on which we Africans celebrate our unity and common purpose. Perhaps it should become a day on which all African leaders, from those in presidential palaces to leaders in local communities, commit themselves to making a reality the aspirations of all the people of this great continent – the hopes for enduring peace and prosperity.

Kathrada Collection grows at Mayibuye Archives

Letters and lists shed light on years spent with Madiba in prison

20 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 27, 2008 Archival treasures from the life and work of Ahmed Kathrada are emerging at the Mayibuye Archives in Cape Town.

Kathrada is a close comrade and confidante of Nelson Mandela. His boxes of archival material are in the custody of the Mayibuye Archives (Robben Island Museum) at the University of the Western Cape.

Nelson Mandela Foundation condemns violence

‘We cannot blame other people for our troubles’ — Nelson Mandela, 1995

19 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is appalled at the violence directed at foreign nationals in various parts of our country.

“We join the rest of South Africa in deploring this violence. Whatever the underlying causes, they have to be addressed, but this senseless violence is not a solution,” said Achmat Dangor, the chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

School doors to open for Africa’s children

Nelson Mandela Foundation signs partnership to benefit over 4-million children

16 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 16, 2008  – Every third child in sub-Saharan Africa is denied the basic right to go to school and learn.

This statistic, from the United Nations Children’s Fund, is one that the Nelson Mandela Foundation, UNICEF and the Hamburg Society are trying to change with their Schools for Africa campaign.

A memorandum of understanding to consolidate this tri-party partnership was signed at Mandela House in Houghton, South Africa.

Stephen Hawking meets Nelson Mandela

Physics professor in South Africa to launch African maths and science initiative

15 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 15, 2008 – The world’s most famous scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, met former President Nelson Mandela for the first time today.

Nelson Mandela receives Freedom of the City of Tshwane

Calls on nation not to descend into ‘destructive divisiveness’

13 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 13, 2008 - Nelson Mandela received the Freedom of the City of Tshwane from Executive Mayor Gwen Ramakgopa this morning at Mandela House in Johannesburg.

Footage of the ceremony was beamed live to a public event at Church Square in Tshwane and to the Tshwane City Hall.

Official birthday programme full

90th celebrations event calendar finalised

12 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 12, 2008 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation and its sister organisations appreciate that the whole world wants to demonstrate its love and support for Nelson Mandela in this his 90th year.

We have to announce, however, that our official programme of celebrations for our Founder’s 90th birthday is now full. We have been inundated with requests to endorse various events to mark Madiba’s 90th birthday but we cannot, unfortunately, entertain any more such proposals.

Pensioners visit Nelson Mandela Foundation

Happy Birthday wishes for Madiba

9 May 2008 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

May 9, 2008 – “We’re so excited to be here!” enthused pensioner Martha Naidoo, who visited the Nelson Mandela Foundation on May 8 with other residents of Dewetshof Retirement Village in Johannesburg.

The group of about 50 pensioners was accompanied by Hilda Mkhwanazi, of the City of Johannesburg, and Top Billing presenter and businesswoman Basetsana ‘Bassie’ Kumalo.