Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, will on Friday, 7 May 2010 deliver keynote address at the handing-over ceremony of the original copy of the Freedom Charter at the Liliesleaf farm, Rivonia.
The Freedom Charter handing over Ceremony is organised by the Department of Arts and Culture, National Archives and Liliesleaf Trust and marks a historic and exciting moment in the history of all South Africans.
The original copy of the Freedom Charter, signed by all the leaders of the elements of the Congress Alliance who gathered at Kliptown in 1955, is now back in the hands of the people of South Africa. This follows intervention and support which enabled the National Archives and the Liliesleaf Trust to prevent this precious object from going on auction in London and for ensuring its return to South Africa.
The Freedom Charter is a product of debates that took place within various formations such as the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of Democrats, the South African Council of Trade Unions (SACTU), the South African Indian Congress and the coloured people's organisation, that came together in what became known as the Congress Alliance and began to mobilise the people in schools, shops, factories, bus stops, train stations, church halls, farms everywhere people gathered to solicit their views on what they wanted to see being contained in the Freedom Charter.
"Important to note is that there was never one great collective signing ceremony due to prevalent circumstances at that time. Instead the charter was circulated underground and taken to where each leader was to sign. This explains the varying dates next to the signatures. For example Monty Naicker of the SA Indian Congress signed it in February 1960 and Chief Albert Luthuli only signed it in November 1960" said Deputy President Motlanthe.
Furthermore most of the signed copies were seized by the police and some survived as evidence in the Treason Trial. The copy to be received by the Deputy President was in the hands of Leon Levy who was first the Treasurer and then the President of SACTU. He was one of the Treason Trialists, but his copy of the Freedom Charter was saved from police hands.
However, in 1961, with the advent of the Republic and the ever-increasing state repression, Mr Levy gave it to a visiting British actor, Mr Guy Slater and asked him to smuggle it out of the country.
When Leon Levy himself was driven into exile in Britain in 1963, Guy Slater returned it to him and the Freedom Charter hung shared Leon Levy's exile with him until he returned to South Africa in the
1990s.
"The National Archives will take the responsibility for preserving the Freedom Charter and I want to see them develop a programme so that all South Africans may see this document and have the opportunity to study its importance for our history" said Deputy President Motlanthe.
The Acting Chairperson of the Liliesleaf Trust Mr Riaz Meer has developed a magnificent facility that represents one of the finest heritage sites and the Department of Arts and culture has committed to assisting with its operations, growth and development.
The event will be attended by veterans of the people's congress the event that took place in Kliptown, 1955), leaders of political parties and various formations.
Deputy President Motlanthe will be accompanied by the Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana and senior government officials.
Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:
Date: Friday, 7 May 2010
Venue: 7 George Avenue, Lilliesleaf Farm - Rivonia
Time: 12h00 (media arrive at 11h30)
For accreditation please contact:
Sam Matome Bopape
Cell: 082 318 5251
For comments please contact:
Mr Vusi Mona
Cell: 082 047 2260
Directions to Liliesleaf Farm
From Sandton:
Travel North towards Rivonia/Sunninghill along Rivonia Road.
Past the Rivonia Centre (on right hand side), turn left into
12th Avenue.
Travel along 12th Avenue and turn right into Rietfontein road, go through the security boom and then turn first left into Winston Avenue, and then immediately left into George Avenue. The entrance to Liliesleaf Farm is located on the right hand side of the road - 7 George Avenue.
(For Bus Parking - continue down Winston Avenue towards the Liberation Centre, and the bus parking is located on the left hand side of the road outside the Liberation Centre.)
From NI, Western Bypass:
Travel South West towards Randburg / Bloemfontein. Take the Rivonia Road off ramp. Turn left in Rivonia Road - heading south back towards Johannesburg. Turn right into 12th Ave. Turn right into Rietfontein road, go through the security boon and turn left into Winston Avenue; and then immediately left into George Avenue. Liliesleaf Farm is located on the right hand side.
For Bus Parking - continue down Winston Avenue towards the Liberation Centre, and the bus parking is located on the left hand side of the road outside the Liberation Centre.)
Issued by: The Presidency
5 May 2010
