the 40th anniversary of the death of Chief Albert Luthuli
10 July 2007
The Department of Arts and Culture and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
government invite media to a launch of the 40th anniversary of the death of
Chief Albert Luthuli .As announced by President Thabo 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, Visit of Afrikaner intellectuals to Dakar, and the 60th
anniversary of the Doctors' Pact.
Chief Albert Luthuli was an outstanding educator, farmer, businessman,
church deacon, traditional leader and the 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 of Chief Albert Luthuli's death will start with a
series of events from 16 to 21 July in KwaZulu-Natal province. The events
include fun walk, theatre, music, colloquium, gala dinner (16 to 20 July); and
a first formal visit to and tree-planting ceremony at the site of Inkosi
Luthuli's death, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Groutville Congressional
Church where he is buried and a formal public event on 21 July 2007 at the
KwaDukuza Recreational grounds where President Mbeki will give a keynote
address.
Details of the launch are as follows:
Date: 12 July 2007
Time: 11h00
Venue: Holiday Inn, Marine Parade, Durban
Media enquiries:
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Farhana Ismail
Cell: 082 889 1278
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
10 July 2007
