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Madiba's life on display
14/07/2005 14:13 - (SA)
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| Former president Nelson Mandela alongside an image of himself as depicted in a comic book smiles in Johannesburg. (Themba Hadebe, AP) |
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Johannesburg - South Africa will have access from November to information and pictures never seen before about former president Nelson Mandela, his life and his time in prison.
This was announced in Johannesburg on Thursday by Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Ramaphosa was speaking at the launch of three initiatives outlining Mandela's life.
"We celebrate Madiba's life and we are using him and his wonderful life to celebrate what is so good about the country, about South Africa," said Ramaphosa.
The three initiatives are Izitho Madiba's Gift, a publication called A Prisoner in the Garden and a comic series.
Gifts from across the globe
Isithu Madiba's Gift is a display of the gifts Mandela has received from people around the world since 1991.
"A prisoner serving 25 years in prison for armed robbery sent Madiba a gift every year. His gift is displayed together with gifts from other well-known people like Robert de Niro's father. Madiba keeps all of them," said Ramaphosa.
A Prisoner in the Garden will be an important book which every person should read, he said. The book, containing pictures never seen before, would be released in November.
A series of nine comics aimed at encouraging children to read more often would also be made available.
Speaking at the launch, Mandela said: "Despite its title, this exhibition is not about me, but about the people from around the world who have added something to my life."
Thrilled at working with Madiba
A team of students between 19 and 22, who were involved in the production of the comic books, said they were grateful for the opportunity to work on a Madiba project.
Ryna Qhaba, a graphic design student said: "It was an awesome experience and I am very grateful for it. I learnt a lot during the making of the comic which covers a lot of Mandela's life that people don't know about."
Brett Raseleso, one of the illustrators, said it was "cool" to play around with Mandela images.
"It's been cool playing around with Mandela, making his head bigger, playing around with his face. I could do what I wanted. It was lovely."
Birthday plans
The launch of the three initiatives forms part of Madiba's 87th birthday celebrations taking place throughout this month.
"Historians and other experts on questions of time tell me that another birthday is close and that I am almost 100 years old," he said.
Mandela concluded: "We (Nelson Mandela Foundation) have decided to launch these initiatives during this period and we are grateful to the Foundation's Centre of Memory project for their help and for the important work it is doing in ensuring that our histories are not lost."
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