50th Anniversary of the Awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chief Albert Luthuli

On 10 December 2010, Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs & Sport, and Dr Albertinah Luthuli, representative of the Luthuli Foundation and daughter of Chief Albert Luthuli, will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the first African and a South African, Chief Albert Luthuli, by unveiling a travelling exhibition of the Nobel Peace Laureates.

The V & A Waterfront Company (Pty) Ltd and Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport have produced nine sets of a travelling exhibition that promote Nobel Square and the peace, reconciliation and values of humanity as personified by the Nobel Peace laureates.

Dr Ivan Meyer, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, said, "The travelling exhibition is expected to travel throughout the Western Cape to various rural areas to be displayed in museums, public libraries, heritage centres, cultural facilities, malls and other venues across the province. We are delighted about bringing this exhibition to areas that would otherwise not have a chance to see it, and also educate as many as possible about the value of the Nobel Peace Prize and what it means.

The V&A Waterfront is proud to be associated with this initiative, which is a celebration of South Africa's history and heritage. As a historical and cultural hub in the heart of Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront is the perfect venue for this exhibition, commented David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.

The travelling exhibition includes visual components through which visitors will be able to view historical footage, images and sound recordings reflecting the lives and times of each of the four South African Nobel Peace laureates. The exhibition text and accompanying materials is presented in Afrikaans, English and IsiXhosa.

In 2003, in partnership with the V & A Waterfront Company, the Western Cape Provincial Government decided to develop the Nobel Square to honour the four (4) South African Nobel Peace laureates and our Nobel Prize recipients in physiology or medicine and literature. The Western Cape Provincial Government made R5 million available towards the project.

The 2010 travelling exhibition project was developed in close cooperation with the Nobel Peace laureates and/or representatives of their respective foundations.

Keynote addresses will be delivered by Dr. Ivan Meyer and Dr Albertinah Luthuli on behalf of the Luthuli Foundation.

The launch will be accompanied by the official hand over by the V & A Waterfront Company of the marquettes of the statues on Nobel Square to the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and will feature a performance by the Nobanthu School Choir and an Alan Paton Poetry Reading.

The following South Africans are the Nobel Peace Laureates:

Chief Albert Luthuli - awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1960 which he accepted in October 1961 in Oslo, Norway. Chief Luthuli is the first African and South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu - awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for the promotion of Peace and Justice in South Africa. He is the second South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nelson Mandela & F. W. de Klerk - Mr. Nelson Mandela and the then State President Mr. F. W de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly in 1993. This is in recognition of their efforts in bringing about peace and reconciliation in South Africa.

All media are invited to attend:

• Date: 10 December 2010
• Venue: Introduction at Forum room (off Nobel Square), followed by unveiling at Nobel Square, off Dock Road (opposite Musica Megastore), V & A Waterfront
• Time: 18H00 for 18H30