Inkosi Albert Mvumbi Luthuli continues to be a faint memory in the imagination of many South Africans. In the week of 17 July, the Luthuli Museum hosted a weeklong remembrance of inkosi Albert Luthuli, his life and the significant role he played in his community and in South Africa more broadly.

The wreath-laying ceremony underscored the solemnity of the celebration

Unisa’s Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair participated in some of the commemoration events which coincided with the festivities surrounding Mandela Day. The week served as a poignant reminder of inkosi Albert Luthuli's unwavering commitment to social justice and, more specifically, his call for the church to respond to the community's needs.

On 21 July (the day that Albert Luthuli died in 1967) a commemoration of Luthuli’s passing was held. Brian Xaba, the Luthuli Museum director, opened the event by welcoming all attendees and highlighting the need for and importance of remembering Luthuli and his role in our country. The commemorative event was held at the United Congregational Church in Groutville – the same church that Luthuli attended and preached at. The event included musical rendition by the Groutville High School Choir.

The Groutville High School Choir honouring the great man in song

The event served as a reminder to honour those dedicated to promoting justice and equality. All invited speakers emphasised that inkosi Albert Luthuli's legacy inspires individuals to work towards a more equitable and just future for all.

Two family representatives from the Luthuli family opened and closed the ceremony with remarks, with Veli Luthuli taking the opportunity to dispel the untruths spread by the apartheid government about Luthuli's health in the moments leading up to his passing.

In her closing remarks, Dr Albertina Luthuli, daughter of Luthuli, added that the Luthuli family finds comfort in such events as it is a reminder that Luthuli’s legacy will outlive the current generation. "Future generations will know of Luthuli's great strides to free his people from oppression," she said. Rev S Sokhela remarked that the United Congregational Church, to which Luthuli, Dube, and Pixley Ka Seme belonged, stands as a symbol of hope for the community, where individuals of all backgrounds and religious beliefs can find a home. The event concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a reflection session at the museum.

Community members and stakeholders had the opportunity to learn about Luthuli's legacy and the purpose and mission of the museum within the community. The week-long celebration ended with festivities on Saturday 22 July, including an afternoon of jazz for older people and a fun day for young children.

These activities aligned with Chief Albert and Nokukhanya Luthuli’s strong belief in caring for and visibilising the most vulnerable members of society. The event was a moving experience that served as a reminder of the importance of selflessness and being of service to the community. As can be heard from Luthuli’s own words and voice:

"I fully share the view that one lives a full useful life only when one is motivated by a spirit of service to humanity. One’s profession or occupational work must not be regarded only as a mere means of making a living but of providing a channel of how to service humanity with what talents or abilities the Creator has endowed him(her). A profession or occupation must be regarded as a vocation, a calling!"

This commemorative week was a reminder for us to take seriously Unisa’s vision of being the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity and in our work seek for ways to find practical ways in which to actualise this vision. Unisa’s vision, and by extension that of the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair, is aligned to words uttered by Albert Luthuli in his personal notebook in 1957: “The importance of being of service to others should constantly resonate in all our academic endeavours. 

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* Submitted by the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair Office