New exhibition launches at Constitution Hill

A new exhibition titled ‘Memories of the Struggle: Australians against Apartheid’ has been launched at Constitution Hill by the Australasian South African alliance (ASAA), in partnership with the Australian High Commission in South Africa and Brand South Africa.

The multimedia exhibition, officially opened by the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura and the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, Adam McCarthy, is a photographic timeline of events weaving together a narrative of Australia’s involvement in the fight against apartheid, such as the ‘Stop the Tours’ movement which served to sever cricket and rugby relations with apartheid South Africa.

Such activism did not occur without political controversy or conflicts as related throughout the various sections of the exhibition.

Several former activists are honoured such as:

-Anthony Abrahams, one of the Wallabies who campaigned against the 1971 rugby tour.

-Meredith Burgmann and Verity Burgmann who stopped the game in Sydney, where Burgmann was given a two-month jail sentence.

-Ken Davis and Frances Letters, who were both arrested during sporting tour protests.

The exhibition, though focused on Australia, surfaces a largely unknown history and narrative among the local general public of the significant roles social justice activists from around the globe played in support of the anti-apartheid struggle.

This exhibition comes at a time when South Africa has been named the preferred host for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023, which shows the progression the country has made in the sporting world.

“Brand South Africa is honoured to be partnering with the ASAA in the execution of the exhibition, especially at such a historical place such as Constitution Hill, which symbolises South Africa’s journey to democracy”, said Brand South Africa’s CEO Dr Kingsley Makhubela.

“It is a living museum where the past, present and future collide in a unique paradox that celebrates the victory of our present day democracy,” said Constitution Hill CEO, Dawn Robertson.

Source: tourismupdate.co.za