On Monday 18 November 2013, a group of Flowstars attended the official opening of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (NMCM), the official home of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF).
As guests of the NMF, we spent the evening in good company! VIPs at the event included President Jacob Zuma, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, members of Nelson Mandela’s family, including his wife Graça Machel and grandsons Mandla and Luvuyo Mandela, prominent politician and businessman Tokyo Sexwale, US ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard, University of Johannesburg chancellor and NMF chairperson Professor Njabulo Ndebele … and many more.
“Flow has been a communications partner of the NMF for more than seven years,” says Flow MD Tiffany Turkington. “We were incredibly proud and honoured to be part of the launch of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, which is a culmination of the passionate work of an incredibly dedicated team at the foundation.”
“It’s been a privilege to work with the NMF over the years and to see the foundation and its work grow and evolve,” adds Flow CEO Tara Turkington. “It’s run by a small, dynamic team of people who are inspirational in their combined commitment and attitude.
“As a team, the sheer volume and complexity of the work they get through is something to watch and learn from. They are building Nelson Mandela’s legacy for the future in a manner which is truly fitting of South Africa’s greatest son.”
Serenaded by the Soweto Gospel Choir and the top three Idols finalists, President Zuma officially launched the Centre of Memory, which is the culmination of a five-year project that saw the building transformed into a multi-functional public facility.
The centre houses a permanent interactive exhibition and museum that highlights the life and times of Nelson Mandela. Members of the public are invited to tour the facility by appointment. The venue also offers dedicated dialogue spaces and a state-of-the-art archive facility that preserves Madiba’s personal papers, awards and library.
Flowstars left the event wowed, both by the centre itself and by the sense of occasion of the launch.
For Thabs Royds, the speeches made a big impression: “What stood out for me at the NMCM opening were the speeches by Ambassador Gaspard and Prof. Ndebele,” she said. “Both spoke about how important it is that we, as the youth, take up the challenge to continue making this country the best that it can be.
“I love that they acknowledge that though we are standing on the shoulders of giants who fought for this country to be a place where all people can be respected, we still have more ground to cover and we can’t rely on the heroes of yesteryear to propel us into the future we want.”
Kate Rau says she will always remember what Prof. Ndebele said about memory: “He said that memory is not just a reminder of the past, but also a reminder of the future. When we plan and draft ideas about the future, memory is that tool that reminds us of what we envisioned, and once in the present, is the same tool that helps us check our reality against our dream.”
The Soweto Gospel Choir was a firm favourite.
“The choir’s rendition of our national anthem brought a tear to my eye,” says Kate. “It was gorgeously done, a truly fitting tribute to a place so important to national heritage. I loved the way their voices soared, the melodies from a small crowd of singers lifting our spirits and making us proud.”
For Colin Ford, visiting Nelson Mandela’s office was a memorable moment.
“It was incredible being in the room where Madiba spent much of his time and in which so many important decisions were made that have affected us all as South Africans,” he says. “We were privileged to be hosted as guests at the launch and count ourselves lucky to be among the first people in the world to view this magnificent facility.”
“We know that the legacy of Nelson Mandela will be lived and shared through the centre,” concludes Tiffany. “As a company we strive to live the values of our democratic nation’s father: Nelson Mandela.”