From the African Cultural Association:
PRESS RELEASE
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NELSON ‘MADIBA’ MANDELA
The African Cultural Association of Greater Lowell, Inc. in conjunction with the Lowell Community Charter Public School, will celebrate the life and legacy of a true son of Africa and gift to the world, Nelson Rolihlahla ‘Madiba’ Mandela; apartheid revolutionary, politician, former president and father of democratic South African, philanthropist and Nobel Prize winner on Friday December 13.
“Each time I read or hear the speech he delivered at his trial; ‘During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people; I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideals of a democratic and free society, …it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die’, I marvel at the will of the man”. Said Kathy Egmont, Principal of Lowell Community Charter Public School.
The event is expected to incorporate speeches from local and foreign dignitaries and ordinary citizens whose lives Mandela touched. There will be speeches and video presentations of the life and times of a man who, despite seeing himself as an ordinary man, yet, his people saw as the architect of their freedom and the rest of the world, as an embodiment of peace.
Ben Opara, one of the organizers of the event, as a young college student in his native Nigeria, remembers Nelson Mandela with his fellow freedom fighters, Oliver Tambo and Steve Biko, as the symbols of resistance to oppression and injustice. In his speech at the grand memorial service in Soweto, Tuesday, President Obama reminded the world that it takes the likes of Mandela to free not just himself, the prisoner, but his jailers and prison guards through his unconditional forgiveness.
This is an open event and all are invited to attend to celebrate the life of an icon and participate in saying a final farewell. It will take place at the Lowell Community Charter Public School, 206 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA 01852, 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday December 13. For more information, please call 1 800 706 7863.
Room 50 