In his wisdom, Madiba proposed a metaphor that expressed his understanding of, and aspirations for, South Africa. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) 
On Wednesday 9 February at 3pm the Kagiso Trust will host a memorial service for the late Dr Max Coleman, who was a founding patron of the Trust, at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town. Dr Coleman and his wife Audrey, together with other relatives and friends of detainees, formed the Detainees Parents Support Committee, which assisted thousands of detainees and their parents with food, clothing, and legal assistance. Coleman was a Member of Parliament from 1994-1995, and then a human rights commissioner from 1995-1996. He was the author of several books and articles, including A Crime Against Humanity, and Africa in Today’s World.
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Later at 5pm, the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education will be hosting a public seminar with investigators Michael Marchant and Zen Mathe, from civil society organisation Open Secrets, on the first two volumes of the Zondo Commission report the harrowing implications it has for ordinary people. The discussion will address the following questions;
- What are the conditions that paved the way for State Capture? Who were the enablers and beneficiaries? What were/are their interests?
- What has been the cost of State Capture for ordinary people?
- What are the specific recommendations of the commission and how can ordinary people organise around these? You can join the discussion here.
On Wednesday evening at 6pm the Defend Democracy campaign will be hosting : The State of the Nation — The People’s Voice ahead of the president’s State of the Nation Address. The key speaker will be Prof Thuli Madonsela from the Thuli Madonsela Foundation. You can register to attend here.
On Thursday 10 February at 7 pm, President Cyril Ramaphosa will be delivering the State of the Nation Address (Sona) to the Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. This year the event will be held at Cape Town’s City Hall as parliament is inaccessible at the moment after being gutted by a fire in January. You can watch a live stream of the Sona
