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Mandela Room

Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, Bulletin Photographs

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Mandela Room

The opening ceremony for the Mandela Room at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, when a plaque was unveiled by Solly Smith, acting chief representative of the African National Council in Britain. Also in the picture, which appeared in the December 1983 issue of Glasgow City Council's newspaper The Bulletin, are Lord Provost Michael Kelly, and councillors Pat Lally and Philip O'Rourke.

Mandela was made a freeman of the city in August 1982 "in recognition of the struggle of the African people, of his struggle against white domination, of his struggle against black domination, a struggle which is his life." He was refused permission to leave prison to receive the honour.

A message from Kenneth Kaunda, President of Zambia, was read at the ceremony. He declared that the award by Glasgow "was one of the most appreciated gestures made by any city towards the African people and as a result the City of Glasgow was held in great respect throughout Zambia."

Reference: Bulletin photographs, Box 10, December 1983

Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning

Keywords:
African National Council, Africans, ANC, anti-apartheid movement, awards, black men, Bulletin, councillors, Freedom of the City, freemen, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, lord provosts, Mandela Room, opening ceremonies, prisoners, South Africans



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