Legacy Walk to commemorate 50th death anniversary of former ANC president Chief Albert Luthuli

28 June 2017 - 19:17 By Lwandle Masoka
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Chief Albert Luthuli receives the Nobel Peace Prize from Gunnar Jahn, chairman of the peace prize committee, in 1961.File photo
Chief Albert Luthuli receives the Nobel Peace Prize from Gunnar Jahn, chairman of the peace prize committee, in 1961.File photo
Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS

The second annual Chief Albert Luthuli Legacy Walk and Half Marathon will be the main event next month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the former Nobel Peace Prize winner and ANC president.

Founded by Groutville community leader Zakhele Gumede in conjunction with the Luthuli Museum‚ Kwadukuza Municipality‚ Ilembe District Municipality and Enterprise Ilembe‚ the event will form part of a week of commemorative events and activities scheduled from July 17-23.

Speaking at a launch on Wednesday‚ Gumede said the Legacy Walk and half marathon which had over 500 participants last year‚ is expected to attract about 5‚000 people this year.

Luthuli lost his life 50 years ago after a suspected accident on a railway bridge in Groutville‚ KwaZulu-Natal.

The 11.5 km walk includes a tour of historical sites in Groutville including the King Shaka visitor's centre which houses Shaka's grave‚ the Observation Rock - where King Shaka sat and watched his soldiers - the bridge in Njekane where Luthuli died and his final resting place at the Groutville Congregational Church Graveyard.

Gumede said: “The death of Luthuli was very mysterious‚ no one understands how he died. His injuries he had were not consistent with a train accident."

He said the family had repeatedly called for a full disclosure on the details surrounding his death‚ but were unsuccessful.

Other events planned to commemorate Luthuli's legacy include an arts exhibition at the museum‚ a charity golf day and a programme aimed at empowering SMMEs.

KwaDukuza Municipality spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu said the event would boost tourism revenue in the area.

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