the Friends of the Nelson Mandela Museum
26 October 2006
Programme Director
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the District Council
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The Nelson Mandela Museum represents an important heritage and legacy of our
present and future generations. As the son of the soil, Mandela is not only a
living legend but is respected all over the world for his role in the freedom
and democracy of our country. It is fitting to launch the Friends of the Nelson
Mandela where people are, in order to bring the museum closer to the people of
the Eastern Cape.
The "Friends of the Nelson Mandela" will go out to market this important
museum by promoting art to the wider audience and find ways whereby the museum
can contribute to poverty alleviation and instil pride in people's minds about
their own heritage. Half of the time when people visit Europe they are shown
British, German or French museums and castles which are legacies and reflect
the pride of achievements of the history of the people.
For us the history of the first ever World Cup to take place in 2010 cannot
be told and retold without the mention of the name of Madiba. As we earnestly
prepare ourselves for thousands of people to visit our province, we need to
develop an integrated economic package that will benefit the communities as
people come to view the collection of the museum.
The Friends of the museum need to encourage public interest in understanding
the use and work of museums. We have to attract youngsters by holding public
and school functions in the museum and generally working with schools so that
young people grow up with the knowledge and understanding of the use of
museums. In the vision and spirit of the government Multipurpose Centres, the
museum could be used as one stop centres so as to attract many people who
otherwise would have nothing to do with the museum.
I have pleasure in launching the Friends of the Nelson Mandela Museum. This
is the beginning of hard work as we change people's mind sets, while fully
involving them in developing the museum and museology in general.
I thank you.
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
26 October 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
