The lecture seeks to debate Nelson Mandela’s place in public memory. It will deal with several questions about the myths surrounding Mandela. These include, for instance, was Mandela a towering symbol of hope or was he a sell-out? Mandela, the ‘reluctant’ prince from the Tembu royal family; Mandela, the ‘black pimpernel’ operating from the ANC underground network before he was arrested, Mandela the ‘look alike’ of the ‘real’ Mandela ‘who died in Robben Island long ago’- these are aspects the lecture will cover to debate the mythical aspects of Nelson Mandela. The reality of Mandela as a genuine leader of the struggle for freedom in South Africa; a pioneer of South Africa’s nation building project based on values of non-racialism, non-sexism and inclusivity, will also be explored.

The lecture will be followed by light refreshments.