"Trevor Manuel’s letter to Jimmy Manyi is based on history, and it is a good example of how the experiences of the past can be used to properly explain the things we fought against," said Benedict Xolani Dube of Xubera Institute on the Road to Democracy in South Africa Project.
The project was initiated by former President Thabo Mbeki in 1998 and it aims to allow the makers of history to tell their own stories.
Dube said Mbeki has since taken the back seat and allowed scholars and the people who were involved in the experience to narrate their stories.
“History is not for the people who lived the experience, but it serves as a guideline for future generations not to repeat the things we fought against,” he said.
Xubera Institute will host a seminar this weekend in Durban, featuring Robert McBride, Mpho Innocent Scott and Veejay Ramlakan as respondents and presented by Jabulani Sithole, an academic coordinator at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Dube said “The reality is that deep down, you will find that some people still harbour a sentiment of hatred for the people we call liberators.”
“We hope we will achieve what thousands and thousands decided to do by picking their bags and crossing the borders to come back and fight in order to achieve a country that is non-racial, non-sexist society, where individuals are judged only according to their talent.”
The seminar will take place on Saturday at Liberty Life Building (next to Garden Court), 04 Parklane, Umhlanga, and Gateway at 15:30 for 16:00 and entrance is free.
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