Honouring Albert Luthuli

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chile Albert Luthuli’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. This event is commemorated through an exhibition at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville and the Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture delivered by Preseident Zuma at the Durban Convention Centre on 24 November 2010. See text of this lecture, attached.

Luthuli Museum special 50 year Nobel Peace Prize exhibition

Never seen before photographs of Chief Albert Luthuli’s memorable trip to Oslo, Norway in December 1961 when he received the Nobel Peace Prize will form part of a special exhibition currently being put together by t
he Luthuli Museum.

The exhibition will focus specifically on the time that Chief Albert Luthuli first received the news from his wife Nokukhanya and good friend EV Mahomed on October 23, 1961, the ensuing controversy carried in the press both national and international, the journey to Norway and his triumphant return to Groutville.

The photographs and insight into the nomination process, as well as first time interviews with those Norwegians who met and looked after Chief Luthuli and Nokukhanya during his time in this foreign country were conducted by Luthuli Museum Research Officer Barbara Wahlberg.

“It is perhaps fitting that the Luthuli Museum’s special exhibition is due to be launched in December 2010 – the same month that Chief Albert Luthuli received the Nobel Peace Prize. It is also significant to note that Chief Albert Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 1960 but only received it officially a year later,” Luthuli Museum director Brian Xaba.

The exhibition forms part of a range of events and special publications that are to be produced and are already on display at the Luthuli Museum. All of which are designed to raise the profile of Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner.

One of these is the “In Conversation: Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela” presented as a dialogue between these two giants of the liberation struggle. The exhibition explores and connects their lives and allows a glimpse into the conversations and legacy debates that surround them.

A special catalogue of some of these images and special edition coffee-table book capturing 50 memorable quotes from Chief Albert Luthuli are going to be produced by the Luthuli Museum next year.

Also on the cards for March 2011 is a high-level academic seminar themed; “Reflections and Impressions on the Life and Legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli” that will further broaden the public’s understanding and appreciation of the role played by Chief Albert Luthuli, one of the longest serving President Generals of the ANC and Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

“The Luthuli Museum is excited by the groundswell of awareness that is currently circulating in the country around one of South Africa’s iconic leaders Chief Albert Luthuli and is happy to be part of the other significant events planned by the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation and other organisations. At the same time though the Luthuli Museum is acutely aware of the significance of this historic award,” said Luthuli Museum director Brian Xaba.

Source: Luthuli Museum website

Media Statement by Minister Paul Mashatile at the announcement of the Fourth Annual Lecture and the 50th Commemoration of the receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize by Chief Albert Luthuli

Programme Director

Chairperson of the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Mr. Mtunzi Luthuli

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Professor Malegapuru William Makgoba
Director of the Luthuli Museum, Mr. Brian Xaba
Distinguished Guest
Members of the Media
The People of South Africa:

We have called this media briefing to announce details of the forthcoming Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture.

On the 24th of November this year, the South African government in partnership with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation will host the 4th Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture.

The lecture will be addressed by the Honourable President of the Republic South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, under the theme; “Service to Humankind”. It will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban.

This year’s lecture coincides with the 50th Commemoration of Chief Albert Luthuli’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1960.
 
Chief Albert Luthuli was the first African leader to receive this coveted award.

He received this Award because of his firm belief and contribution to peaceful means of resolving conflicts in society and in particular the South African conflict.

This was evident when the African National Congress, the organization he led as President from 1952 until his death in 1967, took power through a peaceful and negotiated settlement, in order to pursue its historic mission of building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous society.

The theme “Service to Humankind” is appropriate because Chief Albert Luthuli spent most of his life serving humanity.

We will therefore use this lecture to inculcate the culture of selflessness, service and sacrifice in our society.

As the Department of Arts and Culture we support such initiatives because it is our mandate to preserve our heritage, promote social cohesion and nation building, as we seek to build a national democratic society.

As part of preserving our heritage, we have initiated a number of National Legacy Projects wherein we establish commemorative monuments that are symbolic of South Africa’s history and celebrate its heritage.

The Chief Albert Luthuli Annual Memorial Lecture is one such legacy project, where we not only honour the life of this icon of our liberation struggle, but also ensure that his ideas, philosophies and vision are preserved and passed on from one generation to another.

Furthermore, as part of preserving Chief Luthuli’s legacy, we have restored his house at Groutville in Kwa-Zulu Natal into a Museum and an interpretation centre.

We have also unveiled Chief Albert Luthuli’s sculpture at the KwaDukuza municipal grounds in Stanger in Kwa – Zulu Natal.

In addition we have restored Chief Luthuli’s grave located at the United Church of South Africa (U.C.C.S.A).

Apart from hosting a memorial lecture we will hold a series of events such as exhibitions, school programmes, produce a documentary and publish commemorative books on the legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli.

The 50th Commemoration of Chief Albert Luthuli’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize will include a visit by the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

We will use Reverend Jackson’s visit to raise awareness to the rest of the world about the legacy and teachings of Chief Albert Luthuli.

We call upon all South Africans to be part of this historic commemoration of the proud legacy of Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli.

Thank you.

Source: Department of Arts and Culture website

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