Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
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DURBAN LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUMS ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 Conserving Our Heritage • Caring For Our Future Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1 UMLANDO 2013 ������������������������ ����������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������� ������������� ��������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ��������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2 UMLANDO 2013 CONTENTS UMLANDO issue 4 First Published 2011 by the Local History Museums - Durban ISBN: 978-0-620-59557 contributors Director: LHM Sinothi Thabethe Editor Steven Kotze [email protected] tel: 031 311 2239 Editorial Contribution Anthee Ramlucken Bheki Mchunu Bonginkosi ‘Rock’ Zuma regulars heritage month Hlengiwe Mzolo Ian Smith 05 Editorial 27 eThekwini Living Legends Jenny Catin 06 Local History Museums: Director 29 Cultural Diversity Festival Khanya Ndlovu Book Reviews LHM Passbook Competition 38 30 Rebecca Naidoo Maypher Mngomezulu historic moments commemorations Mohau Qalaza 07 1913 Natives Land Act Centenary 32 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Nhlanhla Nkobi 35 Freedom & Workers’ Day Rob Luyt events 36 Heritage Month Stacie Gibson Thevan Harry 10 1913 Land Act Speech Contest 37 Reconciliation Day 11 International Museums Day Photographer Human Rights Day Seminar 13 features Mlungisi Shangase 14 Youth Day Dialogue 45 LHM Trust 17 Inaugural Victoria Mxenge Lecture 47 SANS Designer 18 Umkhumbane 48 Interview with Professor Jeff Guy Zimana Bashe exhibitions 20 International Library of African Music All material is copyright protected. All rights reserved. Queries should be 22 1913 Natives Land Act directed to the Editor. However, the 24 Nat Nakasa: A Native of Nowhere views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect those of the Publisher or Editor. While every care has been taken to ensure Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela accuracy of information, the Publisher ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������� After 67 years in public service, Nelson Mandela assumed the role and Editor cannot be held responsible for any errors or views expressed. of a revered elder statesman, a familiar fi gure of love and respect for © Copyright 2013 South Africans. Vanishing from public view for the last three years, the image of a frail, grey-haired old gentleman became the lasting impression of Madiba. Our commemorative cover shows another view of him, depicting the traditional Xhosa tribal dress he wore on the fi rst day of the Rivonia Treason Trial, 15 October 1962. The ������� radical statement he made with his clothing was that the apartheid ����������� state had no legal jurisdiction over him as an African; he had made ������� 1 ������������ no choice in “white” laws. Local History Museums - Durban 3 ���������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������ ��������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 UMLANDO 2013 EDITORIAL From the Editor’s Desk The various heritage sites within eThekwini are truly representative of the thriving diversity of cultures to be found in this “jungle port city” of ours. s a new member of staff at Local Museum in Groutville, Mr Thabethe joined History Museums, I considered it the museums’ staff when he took up his an honour to be given responsibility post at KwaMuhle in August 2013. Those for the 2013 edition of our journal of us based at that museum with him have AUmlando. One of the privileges that came grown accustomed to his habit of popping with the assignment of putting the articles into our offi ces for a quick chat to discuss together was an opportunity to learn projects or ask an opinion on some matter more about the fascinating programmes relating to local heritage. In addition to a conducted by my colleagues. The various very smart dress sense, he is fond of heritage sites within eThekwini are truly making a joke whenever he can, like a representative of the thriving diversity of sharp-suited comedian. Thank you for all cultures found in this “jungle port city” your assistance in bringing together this of ours. The articles that the museums’ publication sir, siyakwamukela Thabethe. team have assembled provide an enriching In sad contrast with a happy welcome, snapshot of the variety that can be found is of course the painful farewell we among the interests and research projects made to our beloved former president in encouraged by museum staff. Thanks to December. After a long illness that should Zimana Bashe, the designer who laid out have prepared us better for the news when the magazine and Mlungisi Shangase who it fi nally came, the entire country was still took the pics. driven into tearful shock on Thursday 5 Although not directly related to the December when the announcement of his Durban-based focus of Umlando, November death was made. A mark of his distinction in 2013 marks a signifi cant milestone in the the world is the fact that every single front history of South Africa’s government with page of any newspaper in the world carried the centenary of the Union Buildings in the notice of his passing the next day. While Tshwane. One of the pre-eminent architects the world stood still briefl y to honour a of Britain’s empire, Sir Herbert Baker, used life lived to the top of any expectation, the design of the buildings’ two wings to our nation held a great personal grief close symbolise unity among the Boers and British to our own hearts – as if a family of 40 after the recently concluded South African million had lost their grandfather. Mourning War in 1902. One hundred years later that together for that tragic week, Madiba symbolism remains relevant as we celebrate gave us one fi nal, amazing gift. His death 20 years of freedom and the unifi cation of all reminded us all, once again, of what it truly South Africans under one non-racist, non- feels like to be a nation. sexist and democratic government. On behalf of all of us who work at the seven different sites of the Local History Museums, the Umlando editorial team would also like to take this opportunity to extend a public welcome to our new-ish director Mr Sinothi Thabethe. Coming down the coast from his former position at the Luthuli Local History Museums - Durban 5 LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUMS: DIRECTOR Message from the Director he year 2013 would go were the Land Act exhibition order in South Africa and the world. down in history as a most launch; International Museums Day; There is no doubt that Madiba memorable year, not only JT Gumede dialogue; Passbook touched many and made an for South Africa, but the competition; Freedom Day and indelible imprint in our memories Tworld. It was the year of various Workers Day seminar; and a cultural and hearts. He had taught us lessons commemorations marking the 100 diversity festival. of ubuntu, peace, forgiveness, years of the passing of the infamous Furthermore, the year also compassion, love and reconciliation. Land Act of 1913, which restricted marked the passing of the father of As we bid farewell to our hero the right of the majority of South our nation, the first democratically and gradually march towards African black people to own land. elected president of our country, Dr the 20 years of our ‘embryonic’ This year also marks the 17th Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. He has democracy, it is incumbent upon us anniversary of the most significant been hailed as the stalwart of the to ensure that his legacy does not constitution of our country, which South African struggle for liberation vanish but continues to be upheld is a blueprint for our human and the founder of a united, non- and realised. We need not forget rights and values and serves as a sexist, non-racial and democratic that the struggle for a better life cornerstone for our democracy. South Africa in which all persons continues. Through its interactive In pursuance of its vision, mission live together in harmony, with equal programmes, LHM will continue to and objectives, Local History opportunities. As the towering ensure that the legacy, teachings, Museums continued to stage various