Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture 2017

The annual Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial lecture will be held on Saturday, 25 November 2017 from 1pm to 5pm at the GSB&L Auditorium on the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Westville Campus in Durban.

The lecture is held under the auspices of the Luthuli Museum, the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, the Department of Arts and Culture and the University.

The lecture will be delivered by the former President of Botswana, His Excellency Festus G Mogae under the theme: 'Luthuli Remembered'.

This year marks 50 years since Chief Albert Luthuli's death on 21 July 1967. Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa says the lecture will provide us with an opportunity to revisit and reflect on the legacy of this remarkable man, "A servant of the people, a leader who during the darkest days of South Africa's struggle, became a beacon of hope for the many who aspired to attain freedom; human dignity and individual worth for all."

The lecture will address the broader continental issues of democracy; development; economic prosperity; and the historical ties that bind Africa.

Luthuli's struggle was not only for a free South Africa, but for a free Africa as testified in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on 10 December 1960 when he said that he accepts the award "as an honour not only to South Africa, but for the whole continent...Mother Africa, all its people, whatever their race, colour or creed."

This year's keynote speaker Mogae served as Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Change. He also received the French Grand Cross of the L'egion d'honneur awarded in 2008 for his exemplary leadership in making Botswana a model of democracy and good governance; and has received praise for ensuring Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV /AIDS pandemic.

UKZN Vice-Chancellor Dr Albert van Jaarsveld says the University embraces the historical legacy of Luthuli, "We are proud to be involved in all initiatives that promote and keep alive the values and principles Chief Luthuli espoused."

The lecture forms part of the cabinet-approved national legacy projects which acknowledge the role of all South Africans who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of South Africa.

Groutville Programme:

The media are also invited to attend a special programme in honour of Luthuli to be held in Groutville, KwaDukuza on Friday, 24 November 2017 from 2pm to 4.30pm. The programme will include a wreath laying at Luthuli's gravesite, a church service and a tour of the Luthuli Museum. Mogae will be the guest of honour at this event.

For further information and to RSVP contact Luthuli Museum PR Officer, Zinhle Nyembe on (032) 559 6822 / e-mail: [email protected] OR UKZN Media Liaison Officer, Sejal Desai on 031 260 7829 / e-mail: [email protected]