The Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo, invites members of the media to the Opening of the Nat Nakasa Exhibition and Panel Discussion under the theme, “Nat Nakasa, The Fearless Journalist.”

The exhibition titled “A native of nowhere” celebrates Nat Nakasa’s career and achievements as a fearless journalist who was acutely aware of social injustice, racism and the need for a truly democratic dispensation. Esteemed panel members from the media industry, which include, Mathatha Tsedu (Executive Director of SANEF), Joe Thloloe (former Press Ombudsman) and Judy Sandison (SABC Managing Editor) will share their interpretation of Nakasa’s legacy and its relevance in today’s society.

This will be followed by the Nat Nakasa Readings on Thursday, 15/05/14. The public reading and discussion of work by Nakasa, from collected work in The World of Nat Nakasa (Essop Patel: 1975), will form the cornerstone of an outreach campaign to run alongside the Nakasa exhibition. The purpose of these readings will be to allow members of the public to consider his legacy and contributions to the South African culture and identity.

Ndazana Nathanial Nakasa was a South African journalist educated in Durban, and who began his work and career as a writer at Ilanga laseNatal in the late 1950s. He subsequently moved to Johannesburg, where he wrote for Golden City Post, Rand Daily Mail and DRUM magazine, covering many social ills of the time. In 1964 he was awarded a Nieman Fellowship to study in America, but was not issued with a passport, and thus reluctantly went into exile. He died in New York in 1965 and his remains are expected to be repatriated for reburial in South Africa in the next few months.

The event is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 14/05/14 (Nat Nakasa Exhibition Opening and Panel Discussion)

Thursday, 15/05/14 (Nat Nakasa Readings)

Venue: Old Court House Museum, 77 Samora Machel Street

Time: 09H30 for 10H00 (both days)

Issued by the Head of Communications Unit, Ms Tozi Mthethwa

For more information contact the Municipal Spokesperson, Mr. Thabo Mofokeng, on 031 311 4820 or 082 731 7456 or email: thabo1.mofokeng@durban.gov.za