ZULULANDERS are urged to book their seats for an evening of memorable first-hand accounts of former president Nelson Mandela when his historian visits Empangeni this month.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Empangeni, the informative session with Verne Harris takes place at the Umfolozi Casino Resort Dome on 29 May at 7pm.
Entitled, ‘How much truth can we handle?’, the informative presentation will reflect on where our country is in relation to Mandela’s legacy and explore its place in global contexts.
Director of Research and Archive at the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Centre of Memory, Harris was Mandela’s archivist since 2004.
He is an honorary research fellow with the University of Cape Town and has participated in a range of structures which transformed South Africa’s apartheid archival landscape, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
A product of Maritzburg College and the University of Natal, Harris has lectured, consulted, advised and taught around the world, including Uruguay, Cambodia, Zanzibar, Hungary, New York and Mombasa.
Widely published, he is probably best-known for leading the editorial team on the best-seller ‘Nelson Mandela: Conversations with Myself’. He is the recipient of archival publication awards from Australia, Canada and South Africa and both his novels were short-listed for South Africa’s M-Net Book Prize.
A former Deputy Director of National Archives, Harris has served on several boards, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Freedom of Expression Institute and the South African History Archive.
Fund-raiser
Harris is well-placed to provide Zululanders with first-hand experiences with Madiba and rare insight into events, which continue to record and shape the history of Africa and its role within the international community.
The event, which coincides with the country’s 20 years of democracy, is a fund-raiser for Thuthukani Special Needs School, Leisure Gardens and the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Anti-poaching unit.
Tickets cost R150 per person or corporates can purchase a table for 10 at R5 000 through the Rotary Club of Empangeni.
The dinner is based on the barnyard theme where guests are invited to bring their own picnic hamper and enjoy an informal finger supper.
For ticket purchases, contact Donovan Barton-Hobbs on 082 8952009 or email hobbsfam@mweb.co.za or Glynn Harborth on 082 5744155 or email hog1@polka.co.za.
