Speaker: Mr Fanele Mbali (Scholar, Military Strategist, Author and ANC Veterans League Treasurer General

Date:  Tuesday, 20 May     Time: 12:30  – 13:30

Venue: VCRs, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban

In most cases when we refer to liberation struggle heroes and heroines we refer to prominent names.  It is so unfortunate that history from below in many parts of the world where revolutions were fought is ignored. That unfortunate scenario did not escape Fanele Mbali, like many unsung heroes and heroines, whose contribution and sacrifices have not been document. The story of Fanele is a fascinating one about an individual that strived against all odds to achieve for himself, his family and for the country as a whole.   

This book is about the life of this extra-ordinary individual whose humble beginnings, perseverance and dedication to a free, democratic South Africa, has made it possible for me and you to say this is the year in which South Africa celebrates twenty years of democracy. Very little is known about field marshals such as Fanele and many more out there.

Fanele, in his own right, tells the story of his humble beginnings as a country boy, who at an early age became aware of success through formal education . This is a journey he consciously pursued, that exposed him to inequalities and unjust laws of life in South Africa under apartheid government. In this book Fanele gives a different dimension of the ANC as compared to that of an ANC that is obsessed with violence. He joined the ANC Youth League while he was a student at Fort Hare University College and when he left South Africa like many others such as Chris Hani, Sindiso Mfenyane, were already university graduates.

When the opportunity of expanding his knowledge horizon was made available to him through an ANC leadership, he seized that opportunity with both hands and did not disappoint with the outcomes. Under extreme conditions of life then especially in foreign countries, he diligently served the ANC in both academic and in military environments with.

RSVP by 18 May:
Cape Town: Jean Witten (021) 466  8004, jwitten@hsrc.ac.za   12th Floor, Plein Park Building, Plein Street, Cape Town
Durban: Ridhwaan Khan (031) 242 5400, rkhan@hsrc.ac.za   1st Floor, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor
Pretoria: Arlene Grossberg (012) 302 2811, acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za  1st  Floor, HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria