President Mandela receives copy of Centenary Publication - Unity in Diversity: 100 years of ANC leadership
25 January 2012
The ANC Treasurer-General, Dr Mathews Phosa, met the ANC former President, Cde Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça, at Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, yesterday, 24 January 2012, to hand over personal copies of the ANC centenary publication "Unity in Diversity: 100 years of ANC leadership".
Dr Phosa was accompanied by the Co-Editors of the publication and Convenors of the ANC Progressive Business Forum, Renier Schoeman and Daryl Swanepoel.
In handing over the books, Dr Phosa said that as the ANC celebrates its centenary this year, the publication seeks to recognise its historic role in ensuring victory of human dignity over suppression by ensuring the downfall of the repressive apartheid system in South Africa. It also underlines its unwavering commitment to non-racialism, freedom and democracy.
He said that the book is meant to remind us whence we come, and to spur us on as a nation to even greater heights. And it will also encourage us to continue to fight for these freedoms for so many in our world who still suffer intolerable injustices. Dr Phosa said that the ANC’s achievements have been earned through the sweat and blood of thousands of courageous, selfless and principled cadres, led by great leaders such as President Mandela, who always put community before self. He said that as we celebrate that victory, we must remember the sacrifices and as we embrace the era of hope brought about through that struggle, we must remind ourselves not to take for granted the freedom we enjoy today.
The ANC Progressive Business Forum was tasked by the leadership of the ANC to manage the compilation and production of the publication, a prospect which the Co-Editors of the book, Daryl Swanepoel & Renier Schoeman said was both exciting but also daunting. It was a huge challenge to capture the length, breadth and depth of such a wide-ranging and momentous endeavour, by so many South Africans, over such a long period of time – a century. It was a huge effort by a committed team of dedicated individuals.
The book will be officially launched in Cape Town on 8 February 2012 and thereafter in Johannesburg and Durban.
