Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Centre of Memory, receives the cheque from Prof Alfred Nevhutanda, Chairperson and Acting CEO of the National Lotteries Board.
The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is grateful to have been awarded an R11.8-million grant by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), under its heritage institutions programme, for the refurbishing of the Centre’s Johannesburg premises.
In 2004 Mr Mandela inaugurated the Centre of Memory which houses his personal archive and convenes dialogue around social critical issues.
The first payment of R9 447 668 million, which has been received, will enable the Centre to fast track the upgrading of its archival facilities, and make the premises more accessible to the public.
This payment from the NLDTF is a welcome contribution to maintaining the Mandela legacy as the world celebrates July as Mandela Month.
Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Centre of Memory, presents the book Mandela and The authorised comic book to Prof Alfred Nevhutanda of the National Lotteries Board.
“We are thrilled that we have been one of the heritage institutions selected by the National Lottery for this allocation,” said Achmat Dangor, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. “This grant will assist us in fulfilling Madiba’s mandate to make the record of his life and times available to the world, especially young to people.”
“One of the aims of the NLDTF is to support projects of a significant nature that will leave a legacy for generations to come. The legacy left to us by Tata Mandela is most significant. We are proud that the ordinary people of South Africa, through participation in the National Lottery, are going to contribute to maintaining this rich legacy," said Prof Alfred Nevhutanda, Chairperson and Acting CEO of the National Lotteries Board.
Sello Hatang (centre), Spokesperson for the Centre of Memory, walks though the refurbishments with Prof Alfred Nevhutanda (right) and Sershan Naidoo (left) from the National Lottery Board.
Sello Hatang (far left), explains the refurbishments to Prof Alfred Nevhutanda (right) and Sershan Naidoo (far right) from the National Lottery Board.
The premises at 107 Central Street in Houghton were first used by Mr Mandela for his post-presidential work and after his final retirement in 2004, it focused on becoming an archival and dialogue centre.
The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory which will feature a permanent exhibition, is expected to be opened to the public in mid-2013.
Head of Memory Verne Harris (far right) discusses plans with architects Nabeel Essa (centre) and collegue.
Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Centre of Memory, walks though the refurbishments with Prof Alfred Nevhutanda (right) and Sershan Naidoo (left) from the National Lottery Board.