Nelson Mandela to deliver Biko lecture

Former president Nelson Mandela will deliver this year's Steve Biko Memorial Lecture in the Jameson Hall on Friday, September 10.

This will be the fifth Biko lecture, which has become a highlight of UCT's annual calendar with such luminaries as African writers Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiong'o having previously delivered it.

Mandela, who famously announced his retirement from public life earlier this year, has confirmed that he will honour this particular commitment to the Steve Biko Foundation and UCT, which hosts the event.

This year's lecture is on the theme: Celebrating Ten Years of Democracy and honours Oliver Tambo.

Tickets for the lecture will be available from September 1. These tickets are free, but due to limited space in Jameson Hall, only guests with valid tickets will be admitted.

An overflow venue, with a large screen, will be available in the Molly Blackburn Hall. Tickets will also be issued for this venue.

In addition, SABC Africa has agreed to screen the lecture live.

Seating in Jameson Hall will be from 16h30, and the actual event will take place from 18h00 to 20h00. People attending the lecture are asked to arrive in good time as security will be strict and guests will only be allowed to enter only one at a time.

To obtain tickets (strictly two per person on a first-come-first-served basis), please call Avril Norton on tel 650 3746, or e-mail anorton@bremner.uct.ac.za. Alternatively, tickets can be collected at the Department of Communication and Development, Welgelegen, lower campus, from September 1.