July 17, 2008 – Biographies are about great human beings, comic books are about heroes. And this is exactly what Nelson Mandela: the Authorised Comic is about – a hero.
Launched at the Department of Education in Pretoria yesterday, with Education Minister Naledi Pandor in attendance, the comic book tells the story of Madiba’s birth and childhood, his struggle against apartheid and oppression, his 27 years incarcerated in prison on Robben Island, and his eventual rise as the first democratically elected leader of South Africa.
Published in partnership with Jonathan Ball Publishers and Umlando Wezithombe, the book was launched at a function hosted by the Department. Featured was an exhibition portraying the book’s content.
“It’s vital that we reach young South Africans with the stories of Madiba’s life and work,” Verne Harris (Nelson Mandela Foundation Programme Manager) said at the launch in Pretoria. “It’s important for them to know about, and respect, the generation of leaders which shaped our democracy.”
Comprising eight chapters, the book is an amalgamation of eight individual comics that the Foundation (in partnership with Umlando Wezithombe) circulated to schoolchildren and others for free between 2005 and 2007.
“Putting it all together allows us to do three things,” said Achmat Dangor, chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, at the launch. “One, it will allow us to distribute the whole message much more easily. Two, it allows us to reach an international audience. And three, it allows us to sell a collector’s edition. The proceeds from the sale of these books subsidises the distribution of free copies to schools.
“The content is designed to engage our younger people about our heritage,” Dangor added. “The aim is to bridge the generation gap so that the youth know about the struggles of the past.”
Using comics as a tool for education and passing on messages, was something that Nic Buchanan, co-ordinator of the project for Umlando Wezithombe, discovered by accident.
“I started with comics on the entertainment side in 2000, writing the Supa Strikas cartoon for The Sunday Times Magazine,” he said. “I saw that it was really getting messages across to the readers, so in 2004 I went my own way and started getting involved in a more educational role, writing more educational content.”
It is the values that have shaped our democracy which are the most important message of the book, according to Pandor.
“Nelson Mandela lives the values enshrined in the Freedom Charter,” Minister Pandor said. “He’s an inspiration to us all.”
Education Minister Naledi Pandor addresses the guests at the book launch.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)
Education Minister Naledi Pandor with the comic book.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)
Comic book artists Richie Orphan, Pitshou Mampa and Pascal Nzoni with project co-ordinator Nic Buchanan.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)
Episodes in Madiba’s life are captured in this comic book.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)