Mandela at 90: Guide for Local Authorities

Many local authorities in Britain played a significant role in the Free Nelson Mandela campaign from the early 1980s onwards. Some named a street, building, room or garden after him, others gave him freedom of their local authority and many put their names to petitions calling for his release.

In 1994 when South Africa gained its freedom, the groundswell of support for South African development grew. Many local authorities in Britain twinned with their counterparts in South Africa and others bestowed freedom of their local authorities on Mandela. This support was immense value to the people and government of South Africa as they sought to build a fairer more just society.

Since 1994 South Africa has seen many successes and developments but still faces many challenges, not least the debt and inequalities passed on from the apartheid era as well as the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday provides an opportunity for local authorities to reengage their communities with southern Africa and commit to the campaign for justice and rights for its peoples.

Action for Southern Africa and Local Authority ACTSA are encouraging local authorities throughout Britain to facilitate activity in their local communities this summer on the theme of Mandela at 90.

In March we wrote to local authorities throughout Britain, introducing Mandela at 90 and seeking their involvement in the campaign. An overwhelming number have responded positively and are seeking to run a number of events in their local community to mark the occasion. You can download the letter to local authorities here.

ACTSA and LAACTSA have compiled the following guide for local authorities interested in marking the occasion of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. You can download the guide for local authorities here.

ACTSA have provided a model Mandela at 90 birthday card for local groups and councils to encourage the public to make their birthday pledges to mark the occasion. Can you help us reach our ambitious target of 90,000 pledges for Mandela?

Lewisham Council has produced a model motion that councils can discuss.

Download the motion here.

One of the best ways that your local authority can pledge its support for development in southern Africa is by joining Local Authority Action for Southern Africa. LAACTSA was formed in 1995 from the authorities which had previously supported the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It was set up, to assist in the reconstruction of Southern Africa following the defeat of Apartheid and undertakes work on many critical issues facing the peoples of the region. You can find more about LAACTSA here.

If your local authority is marking the occasion of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday then tell us about it. We’ll make sure your event gets promoted online and we can even provide you with campaign materials. If you send us photographs and synopsis of how it went afterwards will promote that too.