Thousands of South Africans are gearing for a defiant celebration this weekend of the 70th birthday of jailed African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela — amid threats to the celebrations, detentions and severe Emergency restrictions. In Johannesburg, lawyers were awaiting the outcome of an application to a magistrate to hold a major "Concert for Peace" after police warned the event, planned for Sunday at Fun Valley, could infringe the Internal Security Act. By late yesterday, the magistrate had not responded.
Concert organisers, the "Mandela 70 Committee", were meeting last night to decide what action to take. Krish Naidoo, attorney for the committee, said if permission was refused, the organisers would consider alternative venues or seek other legal steps for the concert. In Cape Town, a three-day celebration is going ahead, despite a spate of detentions, raids and other harassment.
"Mandela's birthday will not go unmarked. We will celebrate," said Dr Allan Boesak. Boesak, leader of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, said even if the state banned events planned by the Mandela Birthday Campaign, people would still celebrate, in their homes and churches. More than 10 000 people are expected to gather in Cape Town for the festivities, which begin on Saturday. Planning has gone ahead in spite of the detention of 13 Mandela Campaign workers – which sent other workers into hiding. Police raided Community House, the Salt River building housing a number of United Democratic Front affiliates, twice on Wednesday. Amy Thornton, who heads the Cape Democrats, told the press conference posters and banners were removed. Attorney Essa Moosa said two printers had been visited by police and pamphlets confiscated.
In Lusaka, the ANC announced it had taken the rate step of giving Mandela, four others jailed for life with him in the Rivonia trial 25 years ago and veteran anti-apartheid activist Helen Joseph its highest honour, the Isithalandwe/Seaparankwe Award. Rivonia trialists honoured with Mandela were Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni. The ANC said in a statement the award was given to the trialists "in recognition of their inestimable contribution to the struggle for the abolition of the apartheid system … "The national executive committee of the ANC salutes these outstanding patriots and will not rest until they have been released and are free to play their rightful role in a liberated and peaceful South Africa." Previous holders of the award, inaugurated in 1955, include Yusuf Dadoo, Moses Kotane, Bishop Ambrose Reeves, Lilian Ngoyi, Govan Mbeki, Albert Lithuli, Walter Sisulu and Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, Anti-Apartheid Movement leader.
ln London, a four-hour march and a rally in Hyde Park is expected to draw up to 500 000 people. It will be addressed by Huddelston as well as Cape Town's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Swapo leader Andimba Toiva ja Toivo and film director Sir Richard Attenborough. In Tokyo, Japan added its voice to the calls for Mandela's release. The birthday has renewed international calls for the South African government to release Mandela and the six others jailed with him at the 1964 Rivonia trial. Britain's minister of state, Lynda Chalker, issued a new call for his release during a visit to Nigeria.
In Pollsmoor Prison , Cape Town, Mandela was preparing for a quiet birthday and his first opportunity to spend a few hours with his whole family since he was taken into custody in 1962. The prison authorities have waived the rule limiting visits to two people for a maximum of 40 minutes. Mandela had his first contact visit in 1979 when, he was allowed to sit in the same room with his wife, Winnie. However, at least one prison official was present on this and subsequent visits. This weekend's official programme in Cape Town begins with a freedom run" from outside Pollsmoor Prison on Saturday, when five runners will run in relays to a Gugulethu sports stadium to kick off an all-day sports festival.
This article originally appeared in the Weekly Mail.
