Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the beloved and iconic Nelson Mandela, has accepted an invitation to deliver the Dorothy Kuya Slavery Remembrance Lecture in Liverpool this year, as part of National Museums Liverpool’s plans for the city’s sixteenth annual Slavery Remembrance Day.
The three-day programme has been taking place in the city since 1999 with the main day of activity on Slavery Remembrance Day itself, Sunday 23 August.
As well as remembering those lost through the transatlantic slave trade, Slavery Remembrance Day also reminds us of the threat of racism and discrimination in modern society.
Continuing to keep Mandela on the world’s mind, Ndaba fuels the fiery message that one person can make a difference. He was recently named one of the ’28 Men of Change’ by Black Entertainment Television.
He will deliver the Dorothy Kuya Slavery Remembrance Lecture on Friday 21 August at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr building at Albert Dock, Liverpool, before opening a special literary event ‘Poets Against Apartheid – The Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron’ in the same venue on 23 August, after leading the International Slavery Museum’s annual ‘Walk of Remembrance’.
Having been invited by Liverpool poet and event producer Malik Al Nasir of Yesternight Productions, Ndaba will present a series of events in the city including the UNESCO Slavery Remembrance Day commemorations and Liverpool International Music Festival’s commissioned event ‘The Revolution Will Be Live’ at St. George’s Hall.
The city will play host to Mr Mandela in a week that will see him visiting local children at The Greenhouse Multi-Cultural Play and Arts Project in Toxteth and meeting with the committee of The Mandela Foundation, who are working with the City to develop a permanent memorial to Ndaba’s grandfather the late Nelson Mandela.
As the Founder and Chairman of the Africa Rising Foundation, Ndaba has a vision to encourage young Africans to empower themselves to be at the forefront of Africa’s development. He is co-founder and Executive Director of MM Afrique Investments and Founder of the Mandela Project.
Ndaba Mandela said: “I was happy to accept Malik’s invitation on behalf of the International Slavery Museum and Culture Liverpool. It’s truly an honour to be asked to deliver this lecture in Liverpool as part of Slavery Remembrance Day, and follow in the footsteps of such inspirational people as Amma Asante and Mr Martin Luther King III.
“As the home of the International Slavery Museum, I am very much looking forward to visiting the city as I have heard great things about the work that’s being done to educate the world on the history of slavery and its continued existence in modern society, with particular reference to the Apartheid system in South Africa.
“My vision is to inspire a new demographic of young Africans that will empower themselves to be at the forefront of Africa’s development. Liverpool has a critical part to play in that, in terms of the city’s history, its community and future, and I look forward to sharing that vision with the young people at Toxteth’s Greenhouse Multi-Cultural Play and Arts Project, and to see if we can share any ideas and good practice with them as well.”
Claire Benjamin, Deputy Director, Education and Visitors at National Museums Liverpool, said: “We are privileged to welcome Ndaba Mandela to the International Slavery Museum, to be part of such an important event in the city’s cultural calendar.
“Ndaba will deliver a truly inspiring lecture this year, touching many through his family connection and continuation of Nelson Mandela’s legacy. We also hope the people of Liverpool will join us for the Walk of Remembrance which takes place through the city centre on Sunday 23 August.”
Slavery Remembrance Day is organised by National Museums Liverpool in partnership with Liverpool City Council.
Events include:
- Friday 21 August: Dorothy Kuya Slavery Remembrance Lecture by Ndaba Mandela at the Dr Martin Luther King Jnr building, Albert Dock. Sense of Sound will open this year’s event with a choir performance. Doors open at 5pm and the lecture will start at 6pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential for this free event. Booking details to follow shortly at: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/srd
- Saturday 22 August: Family events from 1-4pm at the International Slavery Museum
- Sunday 23 August: Walk of Remembrance (starts noon) through Liverpool city centre and Libation ceremony (starts 1pm) at Albert Dock. Everyone is free to join the walk. Following the Libation a variety of events will take place at the International Slavery Museum including commemorative arts and crafts activities.
- Sunday 23 August: Poets Against Apartheid – The Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron, featuring poets Malik Al Nasir, Tayo Aluko and Jean Binta Breeze, with accompaniment of the Nicky Brown Gospel Choir.
- Details about all Slavery Remembrance Day events: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/srd
- Further details about Ndaba Mandela’s visit to Liverpool: http://arfoundation.co
