Luthuli Museum

Oral history interview between Yunus Mahomed (son of E.V. Mahomed) and Nasreen Manjoo.

Yunus shares stories about his father and "Uncle Chief" Luthuli and their deep friendship. He speaks about his father's involvement in politics, how he dealt with the ever present special branch forces, the Stanger community and Kennedy's visit to Groutville.

Yunus also reflect's on the community's reaction to Luthuli being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As well, he speculates on how Sharpeville shifted Luthuli's attitude to armed struggle and whether Luthuli's death was an accident.

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