The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation (NMSMF) is delighted that one of South Africa’s star singers and friend of Nelson Mandela – MARAH LOUW – will perform at its Centenary Gala fundraising dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 24 August 2018.
Brian Filling, NMSMF Chair and Honorary Consul for South Africa said: “We are delighted that Marah can make it to Scotland. It was Marah who sang and danced with Mandela in Glasgow’s George Square in 1993, when Mandela received his Freedom of Glasgow and 8 other UK cities.
“We hope to recall that most special occasion when Mandela ‘danced in the square’ before
thousands of well-wishers and anti-apartheid supporters. Marah Louw is one of several celebrity
guests who will be present at our Gala Dinner which is our major fundraising event in this special
Mandela centenary year.”
Other celebrity guests will include:
Cllr Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow;
Anita Manning, TV Auctioneer;
Ms Nomatemba Tambo, South Africa’s High Commissioner;
Dave Anderson, Actor & Entertainer; and,
David Pratt, Journalist, Photographer and Broadcaster.
Mr Filling added: “The NMSMF’s major early objective is to raise the funds – by public donation – to erect a statue of Mandela in Glasgow, the first city in the world to award him the Freedom of the City, and to do so in the Glasgow street that bears his name, Nelson Mandela Place.”
The Lord Provost, who is also an NMSMF Patron, said: “The late, great Nelson Mandela came to Glasgow almost quarter of a century ago, on the 9th of October 1993, to receive his award of Freeman of the City of Glasgow and of eight other cities and boroughs across the United Kingdom.
“I’m proud to say, Glasgow was the first city in the world to award him this honour. It took that decision in 1981 while Mandela was still imprisoned by a racist apartheid regime. It’s particularly poignant that Marah Louw accompanied him on that historic trip and helped entertain the crowds in George Square.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome her back to Glasgow for what promises to be a memorable Gala Dinner to raise money for a statue in memory of Mandela and increase awareness and understanding of his place in history in securing human rights.
“Glasgow is proud it played a prominent and steadfast role in the struggle to see Mandela, and others, released; and to end apartheid. Apartheid ended in 1994 with South Africa’s historic and memorable first free and democratic elections that led to a huge African National Congress victory and Mandela being made the first President of a free and democratic South Africa.”nelson
