SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

British RoyalsThe Sussexes

Duke and Duchess of Sussex to visit Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition

On Tuesday, 17 July the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in London to view the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition.

Exploring the historic life and experiences of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 – 2013), the exhibition marks the centenary of his birth and provides insight into his inspirational journey. From a young freedom fighter to an inspiration for an international movement against South Africa’s violent and oppressive apartheid system, the exhibition explores Mandela’s life through information and photo panels, archive items and films displaying different periods of his life.

Quoted on the Southbank Centre website, Sello Hatang, CEO of The Nelson Mandela Foundation has said: “London was both South Africa’s colonial metropole and the headquarters of the international anti-apartheid struggle. It was also the venue for some of Nelson Mandela’s most inspiring speeches. May his life, work and ideas inspire the kind of global movement for change humankind desperately needs.”

Jointly curated by the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the British Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives, and Southbank Centre, the exhibition is passed around six key themes – character, comrade, leader, prisoner, negotiator and statesman.

During their visit their Royal Highnesses will tour the exhibition, meeting with people associated with the Mandela’s work and the exhibition at each themed panel. This includes Andrew Mlangeni, who was accused of sabotage against the then apartheid government during the Rivonia Trials in 1938 and spent 26 years imprisoned on Robben Island. The royal couple will also meet with Thembi Tambo, South Africa High Commissioner to the UK and daughter of anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo, who was a close colleague of Mandela’s.

Lord Peter Hain, Chair of The Nelson Mandela Centenary Committee and Elaine Bedell, Chief Executive of Southbank Centre will both give speeches before the official opening of the exhibition in the presence of all those assembled alongside the Duke and Duchess.

The Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition will run from 17 July until 19 August in Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre.