Inaugural Memory Lecture - the Life and Legacy of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke
INAUGURAL MEMORY LECTURE
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLOTTE MANNYA MAXEKE
Parliament hosts inaugural lecture in honour of Ms Charlotte Mannya Maxeke on 30 September 2015 at Freedom Park in Pretoria.
The lecture, which focuses on Ms Maxeke's life and legacy will be delivered by Ms Gertrude Shope, a political stalwart and former Member of Parliament. It is aimed at highlighting the role Parliament plays in remembering, moulding and contributing to the concept of heritage in South Africa.
Ms Charlotte Maxeke who came to be known as the “Mother of Black Freedom in South Africa,” was an unconventional woman who made a contribution at a time when it was exceptionally hard for women to rise to the fore in liberation politics. Yet she managed to break through these barriers and was known for her moral consistency, independence of judgement and the courage to express this.
The inaugural lecture will be attended by National Ministers, Members of Parliament, Mayors, and representatives of the Maanye Maxeke Institute for Girls and Civil Society Organisations, amongst others. The purpose of the lecture is to remember, honour and put into the public domain, the contributions of women in South Africa who have made a positive contribution to our heritage. The lecture themed ‘Parliament’s Memory Project’ serves to capture, publicise and archive the historical and current experiences of South African women. It further seeks to acknowledge women from across political and social spectrums that, through their values and principles, have contributed to social, economic and political transformation in South Africa.
The ‘Parliament’s Memory Project’ will be presented in the form of an annual lecture series, focusing on the contributions of different women in their respective areas of expertise. It seeks to honour both those who are living and those who have since departed.
South Africa’s rich history features numerous inspirational and influential women, who were instrumental in bringing about positive social change to the benefit of all South Africans.