FTV 114 South Africa – A Lesson of Freedom
This week on From the Vault, we celebrate the 90th birthday (July 18th) of Nelson Mandela by paying tribute to three prominent South African leaders.
Rhodesia came into existence as a colonial slave state, established during the halcyon days of the British Raj. A quick glance at a modern world map, however, attests that the powerful colony would eventually assert the right of self-rule… that from the belly of Rhodesia, the independent nation of South Africa would be born.
National independence, however, is not synonymous with freedom. Was it possible that the oppressed could set a new standard for freedom-fighters the world over? In the face of modern technological warfare, could they succeed? And if so, how without the gutters of Johannesburg running red with blood?
Stephen Biko, a soon-to-be martyred activist, Desmond Tutu- a catholic priest from a township parish, and Nelson Mandela, and imprisoned social activist, would inform history of a new process of emancipation. Together they would prevail upon the state and the world to recognize humanism as the true basis for national sovereignty, and demonstrate a method whereby, for the first time in history, the slaves would free their masters.
This week, From the Vault explores the stories of three heroic South African leaders, woven together by the songs of Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba, and the recollections of Pacifica’s own Eva Georgia and Bridgette Ramasodi, women who grew up in South Africa under Apartheid.
From the Vault brings you the inspiring story of South Africa’s struggle for freedom and social justice – South Africa: A Lesson of Freedom
From the Vault is proudly presented as part of the Pacifica Radio Archives Preservation and Access Project.
ORIGINAL SOURCE RECORDINGS:
PZ0163 Mandela at the Oakland Coliseum: His Speech MORE INFO
PZ0164 Mandela at the United Nations, 1990 MORE INFO
KZ2080 The Miracle Dream Comes True: Nelson Mandela is Elected in South Africa / Desmond Tutu MORE INFO
PZ0223 The Need for Immediate Change in South Africa / Nelson Mandela MORE INFO
KZ1576 Miriam Makeba at the Coconut Grove MORE INFO
RELATED MATERIALS:
PZ0686a-c Remembering South Africa Box Set 3 CD MORE INFO
Click here to purchase a copy of this program or learn more about and purchase copies of the historic archival recordings used within this episode. To purchase a CD copy of this program by phone, please call Pacifica Radio Archives at 800.735.0230 x 262.
Click here to send an email to From the Vault.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
