29 October 2007
The national Department of Arts and Culture in conjunction with the
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government invite media to the commemoration of the
40th anniversary of the death of Chief Albert Luthuli, the first African Peace
Nobel Laureate.
President Thabo Mbeki will deliver the keynote address at this event. As
announced by President Mbeki in his State of the Nation Address, the year 2007
will see the commemoration of a number of significant events in the history of
the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa. The events include the
30th anniversary of the death of Steve Biko, SS Mendi, the 30th anniversary of
the banning of The World and Weekend newspapers, the Visit of Afrikaner
intellectuals to Dakar and the 60th anniversary of the Doctors Pact.
Chief Albert Luthuli was an outstanding educator, farmer, businessman,
church leader, traditional leader and African National Congress (ANC) President
until his death in 1967. He was active in the struggle against colonialism. His
outstanding efforts in fighting for human dignity, political freedom and social
prosperity made him the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
In recognition of his immense contribution to the struggle for freedom and
democracy in South Africa, Cabinet approved Inkosi Luthuli as one of the
national legacy projects in 1998. The Inkosi Luthuli national legacy project
comprises of a museum, an annual memorial lecture and a public sculpture at
KwaDukuza.
The 40th anniversary will take place on 4 November 2007 commencing at 10h00
at a public gathering at the Recreational Grounds in KwaDukuza, preceded by the
first formal visit to the Charlotdale Station where Chief Luthuli was killed,
where a tree-planting ceremony will take place and a plaque unveiled, followed
by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Groutville Congregational Church.
All media are invited to attend the commemoration. Please note picture
opportunities.
Journalists attending must confirm their attendance and must be accredited
by no later than 12h00 on Thursday, 1 November 2007. For accreditation
purposes, journalists are to forward their full names and identity numbers to
Swazi Dlamini from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
at swazi@gcis.gov.za. Please note that
journalists must bring their identity documents along when collecting their
accreditation tags. Swazi may be contacted on 083 964 0961. Further media
updates will be communicated in due course.
Enquiries:
Mack Lewele
National Department of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 450 5076
Cecil Mandla Msomi
Head: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government Communication
Cell: 082 317 3727 / 072 671 0775
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
29 October 2007
Source: SAPA
