Luthuli Museum

Original article reporting that Chief Luthuli will be granted freedom of Stanger but focus is on Daluxolo Wordsworth Luthuli who referred to Chief Luthuli as his grandfather and recently recounted his story to the TRC. Daluxolo Wordsworth Luthuli allegedly trained in ANC exile camps from 1962 onwards but later became embroiled in a plot to trap and arrest Chief Luthuli. In the 1980s he was fighting with the IFP.

Oral history interview between Donald Sivetye and Scott Couper/Mwelela Cele. Sivetye provides autobiographical information and reveals that his mother was Luthuli's sister. He focuses on his and his father's encounters with Luthuli as well as Kennedy's visit to Groutville, the history and development of the area and the formation of MK. He also discusses his family's reaction to Luthuli's death.

Part II of Oral history interview between Donald Sivetye and Mwelela Cele. Sivetye reveals that both his father and Luthuli were at McCord hospital at the same time early in 1967. He discusses the memorial service held in Luthuli's honour and reflect's on the Luthuli family's influence on the Groutville community. As well he reflects on why he was not politically active when growing up, in spite of this Uncle's influence. He also reflects on the Luthuli children, the Church and his family's participation in the Bambatha uprising. Finally, he speaks again about Luthuli's funeral service.

SABC SAfm radio interviews historian Jabulani Sithole about Nkosi Albert Luthuli for the Talk Shop programme.

The interview opens with a question to Sithole about Luthuli's Adventist connections, which leads to a discussion about his Church affiliations and then his education as well as a short history of Groutville and KwaDukuza. Sithole then moves the conversation towards Luthuli's leadership qualities and explains how these made it possible for him to reconcile factions within the ANC in 1944.

Luthuli's Nobel Peace Prize award is also discussed as is his relationship with the SACP and communism more generally. Just prior to the phone-in session, the matter of armed struggle is mooted. Sithole explains that even if Luthuli was personally uncomfortable with the formation of MK, once the decision was taken, it became the collective responsibility of the ANC.

Questions from listeners focus on Luthuli's knowledge of the scriptures as justification for armed struggle, what influenced Luthuli's world view, his stance on passive resistance, and his multi-faceted character, which meant he facilitated relations between the ANC, NIC, SACP.

The interview concludes with a short exchange on the circumstances surrounding Luthuli's death, an issue that Sithole declares is unresolved. Finally, Sithole draws attention to the continuing international attention received by Luthuli up until his death, which is evident by RFK's visit to Groutville in 1966.

Oral history interview with Anne Kjelling & Ingrid Eide by Barbara Wahlberg.

Kjelling and Eide speak about Norway's occupation, the Norwegian campaign of passive resistance and how it affected the population's attitude to oppression in South Africa. Experience living in the USA during racial segregation is also offered as an explanation for sympathy with the anti-apartheid movement and both narrators give insights into the Civil Rights movement, focussing particularly on the role of students.

Students and the International Student Organisation are identified as sources of information on Apartheid South Africa for Norwegians during the Liberation Movement. Both narrators speak of their efforts to forge relationships with international students at that time, even if they did not sympathise with their communist affiliations.

The Indian situation and Ghandian principle of non-violence are also discussed with reference to Luthuli's own message of non-violence and his elucidation on this matter in his Nobel Lecture and acceptance speech. The issue of MK that arises from this topic is discussed more broadly as part of a global approach to conflict management. More specifically, the narrators and interviewer focus on Hans Beukes' story and the narrators' meetings with Luthuli and other family members. Finally discussed is the difficult matter of dealing with racism and segregation in a museum.

VISIT THE LUTHULI MUSEUM or CONTACT US to watch this retrospective documentary on Luthuli's life.

Included in the documentary:

Footage of Luthuli’s grave in Groutville; stills of his birthplace, Zimbabwe; archival footage of Natal; shots of Aldinville while Charlotte Goba also discusses Martin Luthuli and his role in founding the ANC; Footage of Groutville at time of making Mayibuye; footage of and anecdotes about educational institutions Luthuli attended and taught at including Ohlange Institute, Edendale teacher training college, Blauwbosen school, and Adams College; Dr Ellen Khuzwayo remembers Luthuli as a teacher and his passion for soccer and Shooting Stars team; Luthuli and Nokukhanya’s marriage; and Jane Ngobese and Albertinah Luthuli discuss their Chief’s role as their father.

Footage of Jan Smuts calling South Africans to join war effort; Dr Albertinah Luthuli recalls her Father’s comments that Smuts deceived Africans

Daughters of Africa Movement

Hertzog Bills and Native Bills; formation of Native Representative Council (NRC)

Ismail Meer speaks about NRC

Nelson Mandela speaks about NRC

Rowley Arenstein speaks about 1946 mining strike and Atlantic Charter

NRC ceases sitting

Passive Resistance Campaign and reaction of world at United Nations session

Archival footage of Dr Malan

Luthuli’s visit to USA, 1948, briefly mentioned

Formation of ANC Youth League: archival photographs of Lembethe; Sisulu; Tambo; Mandela; Yengwa; Conco

Dr Jame Moroka, Chairperson of ANC

Luthuli’s challenge to A W G Champion

Mangosuthu Buthelezi discusses Champion and election of Luthuli to replace him

1952 Defiance; ANC; Monty Naicker; Port Elizabeth Riots

Luthuli forced to choose between ANC and NRC posts

Archie Gumede speaks about Luthuli’s forced decision to step down as Chief

Suppression of Communism Act

ANC’s decision to remove Dr Moroka as chairperson when he abandon’s members sent to trial; Luthuli replaces him

Role of women in struggle; beer hall riots

Archival footage of Cato Manor riots

Boycott campaign (cigarettes etc)

Luthuli’s first banning and his reaction

Contemporary footage of Luthuli’s store and discussion about this business venture

Goolam Suleman and Ray Swart discuss Bantu Education policy

July 1954: Sophiatown forced removals- archival footage and Luthuli’s message of support to the resistors

The Freedom Charter and Congress of the People 1955

Edgar Luthuli recalls his father being arrested for Treason; Ismail Meer explains how Treason Trail gave ANC members opportunity to be in same place and discuss issues and speaks about respect Luthuli commanded form all races; discussion about Treason Trial in fact uniting anti-Apartheid opposition

Boycott of Putco buses in Alexandra

Transvaal Provincial Congress

Suleman speaks about Luthuli’s friendship with Moses Kotane and his accepting attitude towards communists

Verwoerd regime and establishment of Transkei Bantustan

Hennie Serfontein remembers Pretoria study group meeting that Luthuli was to address until it was disrupted by Right-wing activists; Hendrick Claasens, right wing activist, remembers his part is disrupting the meeting

Black Sash invite Luthuli to Cape Town

Winifred Wright recalls Luthuli’s address at Rondebosch Town Halls as one of the most memorable experiences of her life

Noel Robb speaks about Luthuli’s Cape Town trip and the subsequent five year ban executed on his return

Ray Swart speaks about arrangements he made with E V Mohammed to meet Luthuli

Pass Laws; joint statement by Luthuli and Martin Luther King

Sharpeville massacre; pass burning

Tony Brink recounts how Luthuli burnt pass at his house and shows ashes he collected; Brink speaks about chauffeuring Luthuli to various pass burning ceremonies

Contemporary footage of Groutville and Luthuli’s home; narrative concerns Luthuli’s return to Groutville at the close of the Treason Trial

Mandela elected at head of ANCYL

Mandela speaks about formation of MK; recalls Luthuli’s stance on non-violence but acceptance of majority decision; recounts anecdote about Luthuli claiming if anyone mistakenly considers him a pacifist, they should try taking one of his chickens and then see what kind of man he is; speaks about how decision was reached to form MK wing with Luthuli’s permission

First MK bombs; Luthuli receives Nobel Peace Prize


Jean Hill speaks about E V Mohammed

Footage of Stanger/ KwaDukuza; E V Mohammed’s friendship with Luthuli

Oliver Tambo speaks about Luthuli’s trip to Norway

Archival footage of Luthuli receiving Nobel Peace Prize; singing Nkosi Sikelele

Purchasing of farm in Swaziland with Nobel Peace Prize money to support ANC in exile

Let My People Go published and subsequently banned

Archival footage of Nelson Mandela; Mandela’s capture

Family discusses how Luthuli suffered isolation on account of bannings

Archival footgae of Vorster speaking about separate development

Rivonia Trial

Luthuli criticises Britain for not playing more significant role in challenging Apartheid Government

Sulemanspeaks about why Luthuli passed only most necessary information to comrades in case of being detained

Kennedy’s visit to Luthuli

Luthuli’s final years in Groutville; footage of railway line where Luthuli was knocked down

Ndlovu speaks about reaction on Robben island to Luthuli’s death

Final reflections of Mandela and others; audio of Luthuli singing Nkosi Sikelele