Richard Maponya at the screening of Mandela son of Africa, father of a nation, at Maponya Mall in Soweto
February 12, 2010 – To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison after 27 years, Maponya Mall, together with Ster Kinekor, hosted Soweto residents, of all ages, as they viewed the documentary, Mandela son of Africa, father of a nation. This documentary covers the life and times of Mr Mandela, from birth to South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, and his life as a president of South Africa.
The evening started with a screening of photographs, taken by Peter Magubane, of the first 20 days after Mr Mandela’s release. These featured intimate moments of Mr Mandela’s life with his family, friends and comrades.
The documentary followed immediately afterward.
It being shown in Soweto was a vision realised for co-director, Angus Gibson, who said, “In many ways this feels like the most appropriate audience … because I have never really felt the appropriate audience was watching it, until now.”
Sharing Gibson’s sentiments, Sello Hatang, Information Communications Manager at the Nelson Mandela Foundation addressed the audience, saying, “This wouldn’t have been such a big event had you not been here tonight. Today is a reminder of how far we have come as a nation,” addressing the audience.
Richard Maponya, the owner of Maponya Mall, said the day Mr Mandela was released was one of the greatest in South Africa.
“When he [Mr Mandela] became president of this country, black people and white people were liberated,” said Maponya.
Representing the Mandela family, Luvuyo Mandela, Mr Mandela’s great-grandson said, “Tonight is an event to share the celebration of my great-grandfather’s release, with people who have actually invested in his release. It’s about having a mall in Soweto and it’s about having leaders, like the Maponya family, from Soweto.”
For Ster Kinekor’s senior marketing and communications manager, Trish Downing, it was a privilege to be a part of such a fantastic event.
“The Foundation called us to ask if we would like to participate in this event and immediately, we said ‘yes’. It is fantastic to be making a contribution by showing this movie of Mr Mandela in Soweto and to offer it as a free screening to people of Soweto.”
Maponya Mall, Soweto’s first major upmarket shopping centre, opened in 2007.
Chichi Maponya, Richard Maponya’s daughter said, “This is fantastic for us as a family, and we feel thankful that Nelson Mandela saw fit to host the documentary with us.”
People from all walks of life attended the event and they all had a message about the 20th anniversary and being party to the screening at the mall.
“It is a true reflection of perseverance, of dreaming beyond the impossible, not just for this day, and that it’s happening at Maponya Mall, right in the heart of Soweto, is even more special.” – Penny Lebyane, radio DJ and television presenter.
“I’m here to commemorate what Nelson Mandela has done for the country, to celebrate with him and for him and to learn the history. Last year I did not know he was released on the 11th of February and if it wasn’t for the 20th anniversary, I still wouldn’t know.” – Smangele Katane, a Soweto resident.
“For me it [the 20th anniversary] brought a history I wasn’t born into home to me and I think that from this point onwards we, as the youth, are not continuing with the struggle, but need to continue with the freedom.” – Allegro Dinkwanyane, radio DJ and television presenter.
“I was clearly moved by being retold a history I was part of. In a way it makes me appreciate it better. It [the film] exists so that our history could never be forgotten.” – Thulani Thabethe, radio DJ and television presenter.