Identity area
Reference code
ZA COM NMPP 2009/57-29-1
Title
ANC Youth League [VC6lwBRzb3Q]
Date(s)
- 1993-03-16 (Creation)
Level of description
page
Extent and medium
1 audio clip
In-point: 28:47
Out-point: 30:47
In-point: 28:47
Out-point: 30:47
Context area
Name of creator
Name of creator
(1955-)
Biographical history
Editor and author. Collaborated with Mandela on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom (published 1994). Co-producer of the documentary Mandela, 1996. Editor of TIME magazine.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Rick Stengel
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Nelson Mandela was one of the founding members of the African National Congress Youth League. In fact he only joined the ANC when the Youth League was founded in 1944. Here he talks about the founding of the organisation and, at the same time, reveals his frankness about his own short-comings: in this case how nervous he was about engaging in political discussions and meetings.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access by permission of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright held by the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
STENGEL: Did someone come to you and say ‘Nelson we’re forming the Youth League, we’d like you to join?
MANDELA: Ja well, we discussed the matter with Majombozi, Nkomo and Walter together and Tambo and decided and Lembede and decided to form the Youth League.
STENGEL: As you say you were a little nervous though about this?
MANDELA: Oh yes, I mean politically I was nervous, you see, when it came to speaking, you see, when it came to speaking because these people knew much more than I did. first, I first, I made progress in committee meetings. I was more, it was more easy for me to speak in committee meetings and I eventually got the confidence to challenge something that was not correct. I challenged Lembede a couple of times. The fellow I found difficult to challenge was Mda, because he was clear, he had clear ideas, he could analyse and his conclusion came after very clear and scientific analysis. I found it very difficult to challenge Mda, I had no occasion to do so and, but Lembede was an academic and his views were mostly, right up in the skies, you know?
STENGEL: So can you remember, the Manifesto, was, the Youth League was formed on Easter Sunday in ’44, April ’44, at the Bantu Men’s Centre which was.
MANDELA: Bantu Men’s Social Centre.
STENGEL: Bantu Men’s Social Centre which was on Eloff Street?
MANDELA: Yes, that’s right, Eloff Street.
MANDELA: Ja well, we discussed the matter with Majombozi, Nkomo and Walter together and Tambo and decided and Lembede and decided to form the Youth League.
STENGEL: As you say you were a little nervous though about this?
MANDELA: Oh yes, I mean politically I was nervous, you see, when it came to speaking, you see, when it came to speaking because these people knew much more than I did. first, I first, I made progress in committee meetings. I was more, it was more easy for me to speak in committee meetings and I eventually got the confidence to challenge something that was not correct. I challenged Lembede a couple of times. The fellow I found difficult to challenge was Mda, because he was clear, he had clear ideas, he could analyse and his conclusion came after very clear and scientific analysis. I found it very difficult to challenge Mda, I had no occasion to do so and, but Lembede was an academic and his views were mostly, right up in the skies, you know?
STENGEL: So can you remember, the Manifesto, was, the Youth League was formed on Easter Sunday in ’44, April ’44, at the Bantu Men’s Centre which was.
MANDELA: Bantu Men’s Social Centre.
STENGEL: Bantu Men’s Social Centre which was on Eloff Street?
MANDELA: Yes, that’s right, Eloff Street.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) (Subject)
- Bantu Men's Social Centre (Subject)
- Majombozi, Lionel Mxolisi (Subject)
- Sisulu, Walter Max Ulyate (Subject)
- Tambo, Oliver Reginald (Subject)
- Nkomo, William Frederick (Subject)