Kennedy tribute to Luthuli

All eyes were on Groutville last week for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the visit of the late Senator Robert Kennedy to the late Chief Albert Luthuli on June 8, 1966.

The Kennedy delegation arrived in large numbers to celebrate this day, lead by the daughter of Senator Kennedy, Kerry, in partnership with the US-based Faith and Politics Institute.

“We grew up with a massive photo of Chief Albert Luthuli hanging in our home, which was taken during my dad’s visit to South Africa at the height of the repression of the apartheid regime. My dad visited this country, and in particular Luthuli, to listen and learn. He described his meeting with Luthuli as a spiritual experience. He said Luthuli was a man of great courage, love and wisdom,” said Kennedy with a nostalgic, yet cheerful voice.

“To come here and read his beautiful words on the side of the church and to be at his grave was deeply spiritual, especially for me and all Robert Kennedy’s grandchildren.”
Daughter of Chief Luthuli, Dr Albertina Luthuli, said her father would be looking down on the commemoration day with a smile. Chief Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961 and was president of the African National Congress from 1952 until his death in 1967.

“I remember well when Senator Kennedy’s helicopter landed here in Groutville. Together with his wife, Ethel, he walked to our house and the two of them sat on that bench. There were no cameras and no journalists. They spoke intimately for a long time. Only the two of them know what exactly was said. Senator Kennedy was a hero to us. It was the first time that the South Africa government was challenged. He defied them and against their wishes came to see us to hear what is happening from the horse’s mouth,” said Dr Luthuli.

Two statues of the historic meeting between Africa’s first Nobel Peace Laureate, Chief Albert Luthuli and Senator Kennedy are planned to be erected in Groutville in time for next year’s anniversary.

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Daughter of former US Senator Robert Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy lays a wreath as a mark of respect at the grave site of the late Chief Albert Luthuli Museum in Groutvile, watched by Chief Luthuli’s daughter, Albertina, KDM mayor Ricardo Mthembu and other dignitaries. Photo: Luthuli Museum