The handover of the Memory and Legacy set of medallions took place at 1.30pm on 11 July, which signifies the time that the raid was scheduled to take place in 1963, but had to be postponed until 3pm as apartheid police needed to obtain a search warrant.
The three events depicted on three medallions commemorate the raid on Liliesleaf Farm, the escape from Marshall Square police station on 11 August 1963 and the start of the Rivonia Trial. Alan Demby, executive chairman of the coin exchange, said the 50th anniversary of these pivotal events would ensure that the liberation struggle remained fresh in the memory.
“This is why we have created what we have termed the Memory and Legacy Set, which comprises images designed to perpetuate the relevant historical milestones. The artwork depicted in the set, reflecting images of Nelson Mandela and Chief Albert Luthuli, is maginificent, said Demby, who expressed belief that patriotic South Africans, along with foreign collectors, will wish to own the medallions for their aesthetic and historical value.
Among the guests of honour were deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, chairman of the Liliesleaf Trust, the director of the Mint of Norway Jan-Erik Hansen and Norwegian ambassador to South Africa Kari Bjornsgard. The event also saw the establishment of the SAGCE/Liliesleaf Trust Educational Bursary for Memory and Legacy for candidates meeting the criteria to further their post-graduate studies in human sciences.
Nicholas Wolpe, CEO of the Liliesleaf Trust and son of the late Harold Wolpe arrested during the raid, said he was proud to be associated with the South African Gold Coin Exchange in celebrating an important milestone in South Africa’s history.”The launch of this set of medallions will immortalise the three momentous occasions for future generations,” added Wolpe.
Read more about the Rivonia raid anniversary commemoration here.
