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Chief Albert Luthuli's Hand Written Notebook Donated To Luthuli Museum

Chief Albert Luthuli's Hand Written Notebook Donated To Luthuli Museum

Date: 2013-10-11
An exercise book containing hand written notes penned by Africa's first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Chief Albert Luthuli was this week officially donated to the Luthuli Museum by Pam Didcott, wife of former Constitutional Court Judge John Didcott.

The remarkable discovery of the notebook was made by Mrs Didcott soon after her husband - a founder member of the Liberal Party and Chancellor of Durban Westville university - passed away in 1998 and had remained in her possession ever since - as a treasured memento. 

Entitled "My Outlook' dated 20 June, 1957 and signed, the original Tudor exercise book contains hand written notes by Chief Albert Luthuli on a number of different topics such as the "Spirit of Service to Humanity" and "Why I Champion the Cause of Freedom". 

It documents his education, his membership and participation in other societies, his banning orders and notes around his deposition as a member of the Native Representatives Council. It contains rare insight of the influence of the church and Christianity in various areas of the life of Chief Albert Luthuli.

"I did not want to let it go but after Dr Reddy convinced me and having visited the Museum today I know I am doing the right thing. I am sure it will be looked after and preserved for many more years to come," said Pam Didcott.

She was accompanied by her friends Dr Jairam Reddy, chairperson of the council of the Durban University of Technology, and Betty Govinden, a retired lecturer from the former University of Durban Westville.
  
"We are very excited about this donation and wish to use the opportunity to call on other members of the public who directly or indirectly knew or had dealings with Chief Albert Luthuli to consider handing over such historical or official documents or photographs or objects that are linked to Chief Luthuli for safekeeping at the Museum," said Luthuli Museum Director Brian Xaba.

"The importance of these photographs can't be emphasized enough. They provide rare insight into  what  the house looked like then.", said Xaba.

For further information please contact Luthuli Museum Marketing Manager Heidi Gibson on 032559 6822 or 083410 7362 or email marketing@luthulimuseum.org.za