In partnership with the South African History Archive (SAHA), the International Institute of Social History (IISH), and Freedom Park, the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands hosted ‘Beyond Borders’, a celebration of three decades of South African democracy and a commemoration of the Dutch contribution to international solidarity in the anti-apartheid movement on 14 November 2024.
Taking place within the evocative setting of Freedom Park’s heritage site in Pretoria,“Beyond Borders” featured a keynote address by Ambassador Brigitte Mabandla. Her Excellency, Ms Mabandla was herself a committed anti-apartheid activist and played an active role building a democratic South Africa, including serving as Minister in multiple Departments. Other highlights were an original poem by spoken word duo Yamoria commissioned for this event. This piece explores the shared values of resilience, justice, and unity, and was performed live and offered to guests as a commemorative booklet, symbolising a lasting testament to the shared commitment to democracy of the two nations. An accompanying commissioned illustration, created by Vix & Zhi Illustration encapsulates the spirit of the poem visually enriching this homage to solidarity.
Ambassador of The Kingdom of The Netherlands to South Africa, Joanne Doornewaard expressed her enthusiasm for the creative contributions, saying, “Around the world artists joined the ranks of activists and played a key role in the anti-apartheid movement. It is fitting to celebrate our shared history through the work of these talented artists. Their voices and illustrations bring the emotions and ideals of our journey into a beautiful and lasting creative form.”
Adding to the programme, the event previewed an exhibition, curated by Totem Media, to be launched in 2025 at Freedom Park’s museum space. A working collage offered a glimpse into this exhibition, which will feature artefacts from the Netherlands Institute of Southern Africa (NiZA) collection on the Dutch anti-apartheid movement, donated in 2013 to SAHA by the IISH. The exhibition will include iconic activist T-shirts, vinyl records, posters, and more, the diverse collection showing the breadth of support for the South African liberation cause.
“Beyond Borders” included stirring choral pieces by the University of Pretoria Youth Choir and video tributes to six Dutch anti-apartheid activists, now memorialised on Freedom Park’s Wall of Names.: Lucia Raadschelders, Klaas de Jonge, Stella Hilsum, Sietse Bosgra, Karel Roskam and Johannes Verkuyl. The tributes captured personal anecdotes, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary ordinary people who bravely supported South Africa’s quest for freedom.
