Programme director
Chairperson of the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Mr Mtunzi Luthuli
The Vice Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Malegapuru William Makgoba
Director of the Luthuli Museum, Mr Brian Xaba
Distinguished guest
Members of the media
The People of South Africa,
We have called this media briefing to announce details of the forthcoming Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture.
On 24 November this year, the South African government in partnership with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation will host the 4th Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture.
The lecture will be addressed by the Honourable President of the Republic South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, under the theme; “Service to Humankind”. It will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban.
This year’s lecture coincides with the 50th Commemoration of Chief Albert Luthuli’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1960.
Chief Albert Luthuli was the first African leader to receive this coveted award.
He received this Award because of his firm belief and contribution to peaceful means of resolving conflicts in society and in particular the South African conflict.
This was evident when the African National Congress, the organisation he led as President from 1952 until his death in 1967, took power through a peaceful and negotiated settlement, in order to pursue its historic mission of building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous society.
The theme “Service to Humankind” is appropriate because Chief Albert Luthuli spent most of his life serving humanity.
We will therefore use this lecture to inculcate the culture of selflessness, service and sacrifice in our society.
As the Department of Arts and Culture we support such initiatives because it is our mandate to preserve our heritage, promote social cohesion and nation building, as we seek to build a national democratic society.
As part of preserving our heritage, we have initiated a number of National Legacy Projects wherein we establish commemorative monuments that are symbolic of South Africa’s history and celebrate its heritage.
The Chief Albert Luthuli Annual Memorial Lecture is one such legacy project, where we not only honour the life of this icon of our liberation struggle, but also ensure that his ideas, philosophies and vision are preserved and passed on from one generation to another.
Furthermore, as part of preserving Chief Luthuli’s legacy, we have restored his house at Groutville in KwaZulu-Natal into a Museum and an interpretation centre.
We have also unveiled Chief Albert Luthuli’s sculpture at the KwaDukuza municipal grounds in Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal.
In addition we have restored Chief Luthuli’s grave located at the United Church of South Africa (U.C.C.S.A).
Apart from hosting a memorial lecture we will hold a series of events such as exhibitions, school programmes, produce a documentary and publish commemorative books on the legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli.
The 50th Commemoration of Chief Albert Luthuli’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize will include a visit by the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
We will use Reverend Jackson’s visit to raise awareness to the rest of the world about the legacy and teachings of Chief Albert Luthuli.
We call upon all South Africans to be part of this historic commemoration of the proud legacy of Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli.
Thank you.
For more information contact:
Percy Mthimkhulu: Media Liaison Officer, Ministry of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 389 2684
