This volume critically examines sources of evidence and material from the archive that historically have been used to tell southern Africa’s pre-colonial story.
South Africa was born in war, has been cursed by crises and ruptures, and today stands on a precipice once again. This book explores the country's tumultuous journey from the Second Anglo-Boer War to 2021. Drawing on diaries, letters, oral testimony and diplomatic reports, Thula Simpson follows the South African people through the battles, elections, repression, resistance, strikes, insurrections, massacres, crashes and epidemics that have shaped the nation.
Tracking South Africa's path from colony to Union and from apartheid to democracy, Simpson documents the influence of key figures including Jan Smuts, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, P.W. Botha, Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa. He offers detailed accounts of watershed events like the 1922 Rand Revolt, the Defiance Campaign, Sharpeville, the Soweto uprising and the Marikana massacre. He sheds light on the roles of Gandhi, Churchill, Castro and Thatcher, and explores the impact of the World Wars, the armed struggle and the Border War. Simpson's history charts the post-apartheid transition and the phases of ANC rule, from Rainbow Nation to transformation; state capture to 'New Dawn'. Along the way, it reveals the divisions and solidarities of sport; the nation's economic travails; and painful pandemics, from the Spanish flu to AIDS and Covid-19.
In his annual presidential address on 8 January 1986, ANC president Oliver Tambo called on South Africans to make apartheid ungovernable through armed action and militant struggle. But unknown to the world, on that very day, the quiet-spoken mathematics teacher and aspirant priest turned reluctant revolutionary had also set up a secret think tank in Lusaka, which he named the Constitution Committee, giving it an ‘ad hoc unique exercise’ that had ‘no precedent in the history of the movement’.
Knowing that all wars end at a negotiating table, and judging the balance of forces to be moving in favour of the liberation movement, Tambo wanted the
ANC to hold the initiative after the fall of apartheid. Assisted by Pallo Jordan, he instructed his new think tank to formulate the principles and draft the outlines of a constitution that could unite South Africa when the time came to talk in the fledgling days of freedom and democracy. The seven-member team, including Albie Sachs, Kader Asmal and Zola Skweyiya, started deliberating and reporting to Tambo. In correspondence, they typically addressed him as ‘Dear Comrade President’.
Drawing on the personal archives of participants, Dear Comrade President explains how the purposeful first steps were taken in the making of South Africa’s Constitution. Why and how did this process happen? What were the first written words? When and where were they put on paper? By whom? What values did they espouse? And how did the committee’s work fit into the broader struggle? This book answers these questions in new, paradigm-shifting ways.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Joburg City Parks & Zoo have collaborated to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the passing of Madiba. Over the years, the Foundation has marked the event through dialogue on critical social issues. This year the celebration was marked by a special Nelson Mandela Day convening, opening a park in the Riverlea community. The park will stand in honour of Madiba's legacy, and the values that he espoused. It will be the tangible site for our One Million Tree Campaign, which aims to promote environmental justice, and food security and mitigate the impact of climate change.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with Johannesburg City Parks, Zoo, Old Mutual, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Forest, Fisheries and the Environment, Green Development Foundation, Meals on Wheels Community Services South Africa, as well as Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa commemorated the 9th anniversary of struggle icon Nelson Mandela’s passing by officially opening the Jukskei Park in Riverlea, in Johannesburg. The park will also be the symbolic home for the foundation’s ‘One Million Tree Campaign’, which aims to promote environmental justice and food security, while mitigating the impact of climate change.
An original, well researched and illustrated book, which sheds new light on the influence which Mahatma Gandhi may have had on Nelson Mandela – entitled Gandhi and Mandela: Born in the R.S.A. Based on some thirty years of research, Haswell puts forward three propositions:
Firstly, that both Gandhi and Mandela, suit-wearing attorneys, were transformed and reborn as political leaders, by life changing experiences in the city of Pietermaritzburg – hence the title Born in the R.S.A.; Secondly, that as a youthful leader Mandela certainly adopted the nonviolent campaign strategies developed by Gandhi; and, Thirdly, that in the treason trials which Mandela had to endure, his courtroom demeanour, legal tactics, and even phrases such as “ if needs be I am prepared to die”, so closely resemble those used by Gandhi, in South African courts, some fifty years earlier, that the author contends that Mandela can be considered to be a legal disciple of Gandhi.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Ride4Hope, Hulamin, Boxer Team members distributed food parcels at Khazimula childrens home to Howick community members.
Raimundo Robredo Rubio visits the Nelson Mandela Foundation and receives a guided tour of the temporary and permanent exhibitions including Nelson Mandela's post presidential office, and the archive.
Nelson Mandela Day launch 2022. The Nelson Mandela Foundation framed Nelson Mandela Day 2022 around its food and nutrition programme, under the theme “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.
Visit by Green Development Foundation (GDF) to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, receives a guided tour of the archive, exhibitions and Madiba's post-presidential office.
International Women’s Forum of South Africa visits the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and receives a guided tour of the archive and the permanent exhibition from Sello Hatang.
Visit by the Western States Centre to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang gave them a tour of the archive, exhibitions and Madiba's post-presidential office.
Steven Lukey visits to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and received a guided tour of the Nelson Mandela Office, Nelson Mandela Life and Times Exhibition, Negotiating Democracy Exhbition and the Archive vault by Zandile Myeka (Metadata and Documents Archivist) and Lerato Tshabalala (Metadata and Photographs Archivist).
Turkish delegation visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation. They receive a guided tour of the permanent and Archive vault by exhibition coordinator, Ann-young Maharaj and Director of Archive and Research, Razia Saleh.
Angola Deputy President Bornito de Sousa and his spouse Maria José Rodrigues Ferreira Diogo visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation accompanied by Angola Ambassador in South Africa HE Mariam Filomena Delgado. The guests received a guided tour of Nelson Mandela's post presidential office, Nelson Mandela Life and Times Exhibition and Negotiating Democracy Exhibition by Razia Saleh (NMF Director of Archive and Research). The guests also visited Sanctuary Mandela.
Dereck Joubert from National Geographics Science and Exploration and family visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Nelson Mandela Foundation Executive Officer Sello Hatang gave the guests a guided tour of Nelson Mandela Office, Nelson Mandela Life and Times Exhibition and the Archive.
Photoshoot for ZA Rights website. Goodwill Collection is a Nelson Mandela Foundation that is inspired by the life and times of Nelson Mandela. It strives to celebrate an icon, his values and ideals. With this merchandise collection, the Nelson Mandela Foundation advocate for social justice.
Kaizer Chiefs veterans visits the Nelson Mandela Foundation and given a guided tour of Nelson Mandela's post presidential office, Nelson Mandela Life and Times permanent exhibition, and the Archive by the Nelson Mandela Foundation Executive Officer Sello Hatang. Mr Sello Hatang also gave the veterans a guided tour of Sanctuary Mandela.
Contains all the submitted papers from the 2018 conference organised by Free market foundation and other contributions that make it clear why expropriation without compensation is a bad idea to be avoided.
Can people who live in shantytowns, shacks and favelas teach us anything about democracy? About how to govern society in a way that is inclusive, participatory and addresses popular needs? This book argues that they can. In a study conducted in dozens of South Africa's shack settlements, where more than 9 million people live, Trevor Ngwane finds thriving shack dwellers' committees that govern local life, are responsive to popular needs and provide a voice for the community. These committees, called 'amakomiti' in the Zulu language, organise the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, public works and crime prevention especially during settlement establishment. Amakomiti argues that, contrary to common perception, slum dwellers are in fact an essential part of the urban population, whose political agency must be recognised and respected. In a world searching for democratic alternatives that serve the many and not the few, it is to the shantytowns, rather than the seats of political power, that we should turn.
The book reminds South Africans about the Constitutional values which are pillars against which human rights and constitutional obligations lean and how they guide deeper understanding of constitutional principles.
The book serves to help the public to understand the Constitution and its imperatives better – to understand what went wrong in the past 27 years (actions and omissions) in relation to the upholding of constitutional values – and to understand what ought to have been done! And how that ought to have been done.
It identifies the conduct that delayed and delays performance of constitutional obligations especially owing to lack of diligence and disregard for constitutional values and principles by those occupying public office.
It reminds all citizens and office bearers that the Constitution is not a document of convenience. And exposes how those occupying public office including public servants fail to: use and abide by the law; and uphold the Constitution to ensure the realisation of human rights and perform constitutional obligations.
Parliament, provincial legislatures, municipal councils, the Executive, boards, members of commissions, accounting officers, managers and employees are recounted what they out to have done and how they ought to have conducted themselves.
Court judgments, investigation reports and reports of commissions of enquiry are used to evince and expose how constitutional values were disregarded and weakened.
The book assesses and encourages a high standard of ethics, professionalism, integrity, good governance and constitutionalism, and diligence in the performance of constitutional obligations.
It further suggests interventions and recommendations inter-alia the restructuring of the constitutional and legislative framework of certain constitutional bodies and statutory bodies such as Chapter 9 institutions and PANSALB towards a diligent and speedy realisation of human rights and service delivery, and thus uphold constitutional values.
The book looks into the strategies and tactics used by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela when leading his South African contemporaries into the liberation struggle against the evil system of apartheid from 1941 until his arrest near Howick in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province, on 5th August 1962.
As Nelson Mandela lived and worked under the unjust system of apartheid, his desire for freedom grew. South Africa separated people by races, oppressing the country's non-white citizens with abusive laws and cruel restrictions. Every day filled Mandela with grief and anger. But he also had hope--hope for a nation that belonged to everyone who lived in it.
From his work with the African National Congress, to his imprisonment on Robben Island, to his extraordinary rise to the presidency, Nelson Mandela was a rallying force against injustice. This stirring biography explores Mandela's long fight for equality and the courage that propelled him through decades of struggle. Illustrated in the bold, bright colors of South Africa, A Plan for the People captures the spirit of a leader beloved around the world.
The book offers the first intimate, behind-the-scenes account of the ongoing saga of the making of democratic South Africa's first national heritage institution. In doing so, it draws on the perspectives of historians, architects, visiting artists, ex-political prisoners, residents of the island and a host of heritage professionals, including debates on Mandelarisation and commemorating Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe.
Breakthrough sheds new light on the process that led to the formal negotiations. Focusing on the years before 1990, the book reveals the skirmishes that took place away from the public glare, as the principal adversaries engaged in a battle of positions that carved a pathway to the negotiating table. Drawing from material in the prison files of Nelson Mandela, minutes of the meetings of the ANC Constitutional Committee, the NWC and the NEC, notes about the Mells Park talks led by Professor Willie Esterhuyse and Thabo Mbeki, communications between Oliver Tambo and Operation Vula, the Kobie Coetsee Papers, the Broederbond archives and numerous other sources, the authors have pieced together a definitive account of these historic developments. While most accounts of South Africa's transition deal with what happened during the formal negotiations, Breakthrough demonstrates that an account of how the opposing parties reached the negotiating table in the first place is indispensable for an understanding of how South Africa broke free from a spiralling war and began the journey to democracy.
The author's memoir reflects the journey of a fellow traveller through a certain period of time - it is not about an individual but about the journey. Jacobs Dawie's journey will resonate with some, and perhaps not with others. The memoir connects with the fields of history that he ended up traversing. There is both humour and pain, two vital ingredients of life. An honest memoir should draw a smile as well as a tear.
Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha always felt like an outsider in his family. At the age of 58 he discovers who his real father is. Suddenly his search for identity makes sense. He gives us a glimpse into his family life; his love for his wife and kids, as well as tracing the highlights and disappointments in his career. Along the way he learns some very important lessons on manhood. This is a memoir, but also a challenge to South African men to live out their masculinity in a responsible way.
Poli Poli is a remarkable history that speaks to African identity, close family bonds, belonging, struggle and sacrifice, women's rights and femininity, and is written with the lyricism and transporting detail of one of the country's greatest wordsmiths. Barbara Masekela powerfully conveys the realities of life under apartheid and illustrates the features and characteristics of life in a coal mining community like KwaGuqa in the 1940s, Alexandra township in the 1950s, and one of the oldest girls-only schools in KwaZulu-Natal, Inanda Seminary. The memoir follows her grandmother, a beer brewer and seller who lived through the aftermath of the South African War; her professional parents' determination to secure opportunities and safety for their children at a time when the state was shutting doors on the black people; and her university stint in Lesotho and departure into exile to Ghana in 1963.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) organised an event to commemorate Mahlangu v Minister of Labour court case. In Mahlangu v Minister of Labour, the Court declared the constitutional invalidity of section 1(xix)(v) of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 (COIDA), which excluded domestic workers employed in private households from the definition of "employee", thus precluding them from claiming from the Compensation Fund for work-related injuries, illness or death. Significantly, the Court also ruled that the order of constitutional invalidity is to have immediate and retrospective effect from 27 April 1994, which means domestic workers and dependants who have experienced work-related injuries, diseases or death as far back as 27 April 1994 are also able to submit claims.
Delegates from Discovery Vitality, Mitsubishi Corporate and Europa Art Group visits the Nelson Mandela Foundation and receive a guided tour of the Archive.
The Chinese Association donated blankets to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Photographs taken next to Nelson Mandela statue with blankest and Chief Executive of Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang presented women from the Chinese Association with I know this to be true about Nelson Mandela book.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with Naspers distributed food parcels at Sing for Africa Early Childhood Development Centre in Cape Town. The Nelson Mandela Foundation Chair of Trustees addressed the community members and viewed the facility.
Nelson Mandela Foundation team together with Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi and reigning Miss SA Shudufhadzo Musida visited the White City Old Age Home. The NMF Chief Executive reflected on Madiba’s words when he said “Your parents & elders sacrificed much so that you should have freedom without suffering what they did”.
Nelson Mandela Foundation team with former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi and reigning Miss SA, Shudufhadzo Musida visited Ikageng Youth Centre to share efforts of relief with vulnerable families that continue to battle hunger exacerbated by COVID19 and the recent unrest in communities in and around Soweto and helping with the clean-up work in Soweto.
Nelson Mandela Foundation together with Kusheshe Express specialist in healthcare distribution and Suprahealthcare KZN team distributing AvaCare masks and infrared thermometer devices to KwaZulu-Natal school and community members.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation distributing solar lanterns to Mpumalanga communities donated by Panasonic. Joe Ditabo Facilities Supervisor at the Nelson Mandela Foundation addressing and educating the communities’ members on how to utilise the Panasonic solar lanterns.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation distributing solar lanterns to Kwa-Zulu Natal communities donated by Panasonic. Yase Godlo Director of Mandela Day and Special Projects and Joe Ditabo Facilities Supervisor at the Nelson Mandela Foundation addressing and educating the communities’ members on how to utilise the Panasonic solar lanterns.
Henry brown tells his story. His early law experience in Cape Town cast him into the eye of the Struggle when he represented key anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, Winnie Mandela, Albie Sachs, and many others.
In this book, two former colleagues of Nelson Mandela, Sello Hatang and Verne Harris, share little-known stories from his life as they explore the qualities and disciplines that enable him to lead a country through seemingly insurmountable challenges. With excerpts from Mandela's own reflections, this book is a moving reminder of his legacy and encourages every reader to find and nurture the leader within.
The photographs taken by Dr Khulu Mbatha from the time the ANC was unbanned and Nelson Mandela released, and throughout the negotiating process, inspired this exhibition.
Pillay speaks here for the first time, of the days of exile and working with Oliver Tambo; of Operation Vula; the return home; and most tellingly of his time at SARS and the insidious campaign against him and others in the top layers of what once was a world-class tax institution. The story pulls back the curtains on a party and state which once held the moral high ground, but was debased.
Stemmet and co-author Riaan de Villiers bring some of the most compelling secrets to light. Among others, it reveals that the covert collaboration between Mandela and the last NP government went way further than is generally known, and included an attempt by Mandela to broker a deal between the apartheid regime and the ANC in exile prior to his release. It also reveals that F.W. de Klerk made Mandela an offer that, if accepted, would have fundamentally changed the latter's role in the South African transition. Prisoner 913 casts new - often startling - light on the hidden dynamics behind one of the most important events in South Africa's political history."
The book reconsiders aspects of Mandela's life and makes an important contribution to the historiography of the anti-apartheid political struggle. This book provides a scholarly counter weight both to uncritical celebration of Mandela and also to a simplistic attribution of post-apartheid shortcoming to the person of Mandela.
In celebrating the memory and legacy of Nelson Mandela, the Gauteng City Region, City of Tshwane in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted Mandela Remembrance walk and run event in the Union Buildings. The event was held virtually on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, with just a small number of people observing all COVID protocols and gathering at the Union Buildings to do a symbolic 6.7 kilometre walk through the streets of Tshwane in his memory and also to remember all the lives lost globally to the Coronavirus in 2020.
Each One Feed One distribution at Sing Africa Happy Valley Cape Town by Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with Shoprite. The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Shoprite team assist community members to pack and carry the parcels.
Nelson Mandela Foundation partnered with Thesele to assist with the food distribution network Each One Feed One. The organisations visited two beneficiaries. Nelson Mandela Foundation Executive Officer Sello Hatang and Mandela day and Special Projects Director Yase Godlo and Thesele Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Thabo Leeuw addressed the crowd. Distribution was done in Mamelodi for two beneficiaries.
Soap 4 Hope Campaign, an initiative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Imbumba Foundation, and Old Mutual. Siya and Rachel Kolisi, as well as volunteers from the Kolisi Foundation distributed food parcels to community members of Zwide.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Ride4Hope, Hulamin, Boxer Team members distributed food parcels at Khazimula childrens home to Howick community members.
Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive Sello Hatang together with friends walked from Houghton to Soweto. The group visited Ikagenng Itereleng Aids Ministry in Orlando west and assisted with food parcels distribution.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation together with its partners the Imbumba Foundation and the Kolisi Foundation launched the #Each1Feed1 Digital Voucher in Potchefstroom, North West Province. The launch was in partnership with Boxer Superstores and Pick ‘n Pay. From Potchefstroom, the partnership team moved to communities in and around Klerksdorp which are suffering from extreme poverty and inequality. A total of 2 000 #Each1Feed1 food packs were delivered, each one designed to support a family for approximately a month.
Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) in partnership with Imbumba Foundation, Kaizer Motaung Foundation and Princess Gabo Foundation sorting and distributing food parcels to needy community members, also interacting with them at Hhoyi Traditional Council.
Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with Kolisi Foundation and Gabo Foundation distributing food parcels to the community members of Thaba Nchu, Bloemfontein. Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang engages with the community members.
Nelson Mandela Foundation staff provided with a guided tour of the exhibition "Mandela: My Life" by Zandile Myeka an Archivist at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The 11th of February 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison. To commemorate the day, the Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted three connected events in the Western Cape, all of which considered the "new Prisons of Africa" that have come to define life for many, and focus on how to achieve substantive liberation.
Lecture by Leymah Gbowee, peace activist, social worker, human rights advocate, and recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, with Author and Senior Lecturer in the Department of African Literature at the University of the WitwatersrandDanai Mupotsa and civil rights leader Opal Tometi.
This book of approximately 300 letters provide access to the voice of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe via the single most poignant resource that exists: his prison letters. Not only do the lettera evince Sobukwe's storytelling abilities, they convey the complexity of a man who defied easy categorisation. More than this: they are testimony to both the desolate conditions of his imprisonment and to Sobukwe's unbending commitment to the cause of African liberation.
An audio visual installation, reflecting on the impact of mining and inviting viewers to share their thoughts on how this sector has transformed. Aiming to end a tragic legacy of great hartm to miners, the environment and communities across Southern Africa.
The shoot was for a new experience on Airbnb, which will include guests doing a Mandela day activity
Day 1 at Boys and Girls club in Betrams. There were volunteers that posed as Airbnb guests to do the experience, which is Mandela Day, assisting the woman that prepares food for the children and learning to play the Marimba instruments.
Day 2 at Siyakhala garden. Mandela day experience where the guests are required to work in the garden.
Celebration of 10 years of Mandela Day at Germiston Civic Centre, the event was organised by the City of Ekurhuleni in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The City of Ekurhuleni invited city veterans that are 100 years to the celebration.
Main speakers for the event were Mr Lebogang Mahile (MEC for Housing). Mr Mzwandile Masina (Mayor of City of Ekurhuleni), Prof Njabula Ndebele (Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Foundation), Mr Sello Hatang (Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation), Ms Patricia Kumalo (Speaker of the council for Ekurhuleni)
Proceedings of the 17th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture delivered by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoen at the University of Johannesburg on the 23rd of November 2019, under the theme "Constitutionalism as an instrument for transformation".
Drama class from Market Theatre visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation and receive a guided tour of the permanent Nelson Mandela Life and Times exhibition and Nelson Mandela Office by Ann-Young Maharaj (Exhibition Coordinator at NMF).
In conversation with Melinda Gates organised by Pan Macmillan and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, facilitated by Redi Tlhabi, about her book The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.
Sello Hatang giving a guided tour of the temporary exhibition “Mining Bodies” and archives to Luthando Kaka (South African Cyclist), Calvin Tshaka (Mercedes Benz delegate), and Godfrey Hani (Head of Human Resources - Mercedes Benz).
The Nelson Mandela Legacy RIDE4HOPE aims to create a platform to carry Mandela’s message of hope as it cuts across two provinces; from Vilakazi Street in Soweto (Gauteng) to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick (KwaZulu-Natal). The ride was 554km, which was split into 4 days, and the photographs show cyclists at Mandela House and on the road and the arrival to Howick.
The launch of Legacy Ride4Hope initiative held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation and a panel discussion of the riders include Sello Hatang – Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive, Thabo Leeuw- Thesele Chief Executive Officer, and Anne Mclaren- ATC South Africa Chief Executive Officer.
Nelson Mandela Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Mandela Day build activation launch held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Nelson Mandela Foundation Director of Mandela Day and Special Projects addressed the audience about Mandela Day.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation invited Chief Khosi Vho Ravele R.R., five learners and five coordinators from Maulume Village to visit the Nelson Mandela Foundation and other legacy sites within Johannesburg. The trip was to give the learners an opportunity to learn about the history of their country as future leaders.
Highlights: Tour of the NMF Centre of Memory, Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Liliesleaf Farm, Hector Pieterson Museum & Vilakazi Street. Insightful engagements in the Centre of Memory about societal issues. Presentation of a vegetable and macadamia oil farming proposal. Exchange of gifts between the Chief and Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive.
