Tag: Mandela

Philadelphia Report – Shame on South Africa: Putin, Sanctions, Willingness to Suffer

March 3, 2022

Radio Today Philadelphia Report on Ukraine Posted on March 03, 2022, by  Melanie Nathan, I am a contributor for a weekly commentary on South African Radio: Each day, the fabulously talented South African personality, Jonathan Taylor hosts his “Breakfast in Bed,” a show on Radio Today, which live streams 8:00 AM, South African time, at http://www.rt1485.com.  … More Philadelphia Report – Shame on South Africa: Putin, Sanctions, Willingness to Suffer

Namibian Government Appeal is a Failure to Decolonize Sexuality

November 10, 2021

“By appealing the case, the Government in effect is propping up colonization and the tenets of Apartheid, weaponizing by robbing a small toddler of his rights.” Melanie Nathan I will be having a discussion on Namibian Press social media channels on Friday 12th – please see Facebook/ for details – stay tuned Republikein and Namibian … More Namibian Government Appeal is a Failure to Decolonize Sexuality

Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

June 16, 2020

June 16th, 1976 seemed like just another regular coolish South African winter’s day. Frustrated by parking problems, I made my way into my law class at the mostly “white only” University of the Witwatersrand, (WITS). Little did I know where this day would lead: A fellow student ran into our class screaming that children were … More Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

December 6, 2018

By Melanie Nathan- Last month we reported a victory for LGBTQI equality and same-sex couples in South Africa, when the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in Parliament adopted a Civil Union Amendment Bill that could lead to full marriage equality for South Africa’s same-sex community. Now that journey to becoming law is one step closer to … More South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

March 13, 2015

See Video: South African Jews Recite Mourners Kaddish for Mandela By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. When Mandela died the most pious of South African Jews and the most secular of South African Jews all mourned – we had lost Tata Madiba, the man who had brought freedom for all, to South Africa. President Jacob … More Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

March 12, 2015

The BDS movement is clearly now a tool for anti-Semitism By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2015. Threatening to kill South African Jews is surely not the South Africa Mandela would have endorsed. Unfortunately the BDS movement in South Africa is causing anti-Semitic terror.  Reports have emerged from Johannesburg, that Protesters chanted anti-Semitic slogans and threatened … More BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

Art In Memory of Mandela

December 5, 2014

Poignant Art Exhibition Honoring Mandela Opens on Anniversary of His Death Posted By Melanie Nathan, Dec 05, 2014. On the one-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, an exhibition curated by Natalie Knight featuring works created after Mandela’s passing on 5 December 2013, will be launched at Stephan Welz & Co. in Johannesburg. We Love Mandela: … More Art In Memory of Mandela

Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

June 15, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 16, 2014. Good Morning, Mr Mandela , a memoir by Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, has lifted the veil of secrecy and mystery on the family power struggles that went on in the last few years of his Nelson Mandela’s life, and of the chaos at his funeral last … More Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

Police Descend on Bekkersdal The ANC Embarrassment

May 4, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. It reminds me largely of the “old” pre-Apartheid South Africa: — Township – a filthy dumping ground languishing in stark contrast to nearby spotless suburbs – no services- the stench of poverty – and then the ultimate reminder THE large police presence – challenging – the obnoxious scent of … More Police Descend on Bekkersdal The ANC Embarrassment

Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

December 13, 2013

Free Party with Auction  | Great thanks to Swirl Radio,  Michelle Meow, and Gold Dust Lounge, for offering to raise money for this cause at their holiday Party Please note – after you have made your donation, please send an email to nathan@privatecourts.com together with your name and address. All amounts of $20.00 and over … More Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

October 18, 2013

Noting the important historical content and lest we forget the roots of South Africa’s New Democracy – heads up Holomisa Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. When reading this critical speech, please keep in mind that some of the members of the traditional leadership, to whom this was addressed, have attempted in recent years,  … More Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

October 7, 2013

An open letter to Persecutors of Gays and LGBTI, Rapists, ‘Corrective’ Rapists,  Bullies, Hon. Holomisa, Ambassador Qwelane, Christian Evangelicals and those of you who know who you are – I address you as one in a short simple letter as follows: Dear Homophobes of South Africa, Please heed this simple yet imperative quote: “Never, never … More A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

October 1, 2013

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

A most moving article of friendship by Nelson Mandela’s friend

July 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2013. When I went back to South Africa in 2011, to address the issue of so called “corrective rape” with the South African Government,  I wanted to speak to Nelson Mandela. With his house, mere blocks from my family home, I wanted to tell him that his vision for a … More A most moving article of friendship by Nelson Mandela’s friend

Mandela Critical

June 23, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 23, 2013. Nelson Mandela’s health has deteriorated and he is now in critical condition, the South African government said Sunday. The office of President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that he had visited the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader at a hospital Sunday evening and was informed by the medical team … More Mandela Critical

Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. At the time of the 1962 trial of Nelson Mandela, one of a few, South Africans who were not white, and who comprised the majority of the population, were not allowed to vote. This was because Apartheid excluded black South Africans from this basic right to equality.  When reading … More Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

Dear Mandela: The dream you went to prison for has never been achieved

February 18, 2013

KPFA Evening News, 02.17.2013 By Ann Garrison South African President Jacob Zuma, in his State of the Union address, promised to speed the pace of land redistribution and housing construction to replace the country’s urban shantytowns, but nearly 20 years after the end of apartheid, the number of people living in shantytowns has doubled and the … More Dear Mandela: The dream you went to prison for has never been achieved

Nigeria poised to Jail the Gays in defiance of Nelson Mandela

November 16, 2012

” Madiba, your time in prison was without any lesson to us, to the rest of Africa,  we the Nigerians are giving you the finger!” By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2012. Nigeria is about to pass legislation that will provide for the arrest, conviction and jailing of all its gay and lesbian people. What lessons … More Nigeria poised to Jail the Gays in defiance of Nelson Mandela

Watch Video Ugandan Anti-Gay Resolution Fails and Embarrasses Pan African Parliament

October 11, 2012

“It is a bizarre resolution and it will never pass” By Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2012. At The Pan African Parliament‘s  session  in Johannesburg on 9 October, Ugandan delegate, Ogwal Cecilia Barbara faced the fact that her anti-gay resolution was not only without merit, but also an embarrassment to her country. Barbara tried to introduce  … More Watch Video Ugandan Anti-Gay Resolution Fails and Embarrasses Pan African Parliament

Celebrating the Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallions in the United States

August 3, 2012

South African Gold Coin Exchange, (SAGCE) August 03, 2012 This week, in conjunction with a launch event hosted by The South African Consul General in New York, the South African Gold Coin Exchange  (SAGCE) introduced the first ever Nelson Mandela gold and silver Medallions into the United States Market. The special release, launched to commemorate … More Celebrating the Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallions in the United States

President Bill Clinton & Chelsea Visit Nelson Mandela for 94th Birthday

July 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2012. Former United States President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea visited former South African President Nelson Mandela this week to celebrate  Mandela’s 94th birthday at the ANC and anti-apartheid  icon’s home in his childhood village. Clinton spent two hours inside Mandela’s family compound in Qunu, the picturesque village where Mandela … More President Bill Clinton & Chelsea Visit Nelson Mandela for 94th Birthday