Also posting at @actsascotland.bsky.social

Also posting at @actsascotland.bsky.social

Today marks 35 years since Nelson Mandela’s release from prison – a day that changed the course of our history forever. In this piece by #NelsonMandelaFoundation researcher Ann-young Maharaj, she talks about the significance of the day and Mandela’s ongoing legacy:

OTD in 1990, Nelson Mandela left prison after 27 years. He had only just avoided a death sentence but had been ready to accept this. To overturn apartheid South Africa many were prepared to give everything. This courage inspired ACTSA's creation out of the Anti-Apartheid Movement

11th. Feb. is 35 years since Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in prison, a decisive step in the ending of apartheid. In Glasgow the crowd in Nelson Mandela Place to celebrate grew so large that the street was closed. See bit.ly/NM11-2-90 bit.ly/NMSMFBluesky

The Anti-Apartheid Movement Scottish Committee was proud to host Sam Nujoma on a visit to Scotland in 1987, with packed rallies in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a conference of the leaders of major Scottish organisations, and local authority receptions. ACTSA Scotland mourns his death.

Condolences on the death of Sam Nujoma who fought for Namibia's freedom from apartheid S. African occupation, and then was first President of free Namibia. Brian Filling was Chair of Anti-Apartheid in Scotland, which campaigned on Namibia for many years and hosted the 1987 visit.

65 years ago today the massacre by apartheid police of 69 peaceful protestors at Sharpeville shocked the world and transformed the anti-apartheid struggle in S. Africa and abroad. Now International Day against racial discrimination. bit.ly/3a8HA9l bit.ly/NMSMF

We mark 65 years today since the dreadful massacre at Sharpeville by apartheid police. Now SA Human Rights Day and UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Working for human rights is a never ending duty. bit.ly/NMSMF bit.ly/3a8HA9l

On this anniversary of South Africa's first freedom election, for which Nelson Mandela and so many sacrificed so much to achieve, we are pleased to announce the opening of our competition for a sculptor for a permanent memorial to Mandela in Glasgow. See bit.ly/statuecomp

Visit our Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation and ACTSA Scotland stall of Southern African crafts + info. about the Mandela statue competition launch and other work, at the Scotland's International Development Alliance multicultural festival in Paisley this Sat. 10th May Tannahill Centre PA3 1NT 10.30am-4pm intdevalliance.scot/events/unity-i…

Did you know that after SA's first national democratic elections in April 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as SA's first democratic Pres. at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 10 May 1994? He replaced the outgoing National Party leader F.W. de Klerk as President.⬇️

Yesterday was #InternationalDayOfPlay, celebrating every child's right to play, so essential to their development and wellbeing But for children in Kabwe, Zambia, to play outside is to risk lead poisoning, due to historic pollution from one of the largest lead mines at the time

📷 On 12th June 1988 30,000 people marched through Glasgow and rallied on Glasgow Green to call for the release of Nelson Mandela. Oliver Tambo, Trevor Huddleston, Alan Boesak, Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Abdul Minty and others addressed the crowd. Jim Kerr sang "Mandela Day"

These scenes from the Soweto massacre of 16June1976 where police fired on a large peaceful children's demonstration are still utterly shocking, and were followed by a year long uprising with 1000 more deaths, mobilising a whole generation in South Africa as well as world opinion.

In Scotland a protest was held by the newly-constituted Anti-Apartheid Movement Scottish Committee outside the apartheid Consulate in Glasgow. 12 months later we returned there for a wreath-laying, and on 16June1986 the street there was renamed Nelson Mandela Place in honour.

On 26th June 1955 3000 people from all over South Africa gathered to discuss and adopt the Freedom Charter, the manifesto and "great beacon" for the liberation struggle. Read Brian Filling on the radical content and lasting importance of the Charter bit.ly/FreedomCharter…

This was when Denis Goldberg was arrested with other senior ANC leaders. Raymond Mhlaba was later first Premier of Eastern Cape. Denis is bottom right in the panel of photos. below. The reply thread gives further information. Andrew Mlangeni & Denis became Patrons of NMSMF.

The song "When Mandela danced in the Square" was written by Ian Davison to mark Nelson Mandela's speech in George Square on his visit to Glasgow in Oct. 1993. Words are at bit.ly/WhenMandelalyr… as part of the education resource pack of the same name at bit.ly/WhenMandela

Five great sculptors are shortlisted for creating a tribute to Nelson Mandela in Mandela Place, Glasgow. Paul Ferriter, Hector Guest, Alan Herriot, Kenny Hunter and David Mitchell will create maquettes for a public consultation. bit.ly/NMSMF for info. & any donations.