The Telkom Foundation helps the Nelson Mandela Foundation fix its air-conditioning
The Telkom Foundation restored the archive’s air-conditioning, in order to preserve the important history the foundation protects.
In a commitment to preserve its national heritage and uphold Mandela’s vision for South Africa, the Telkom Foundation has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to restore the archive’s air-conditioning, in order to preserve history.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s head of archive, Razia Saleh, on July 9 at Houghton, explained that she was disturbed by the smell that came out of the archive room, when she noticed that the air-conditioning stopped working. “When we refurbished the building and officially opened in 2018, state of the art air-conditioning and temperature control was installed, which is the pride and joy of the work we do. It is a room where we have taken many dignitaries, archivists, and VIPs, to showcase our facility. So, to find, one morning, that it’s malfunctioning gave me sleepless nights.”
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Saleh added that the archive houses collected material Mandela left prison with. “In 2004, a former warder visited Mandela at the foundation and give him two note books, where he journaled his thoughts, that were confiscated from him on Robben Island in 1971, which are now part of the archives.”
Telkom Foundation trustee Dr Patrick Sekgoka noted that the Nelson Mandela Foundation remained committed to preserving our national heritage, and upholding Mandela’s vision for the country, which includes empowering future generations. “The Nelson Mandela Foundation, being an NPO, can’t be expected to undertake this mammoth task alone, hence we stepped in. When unforeseen expenses arise, such as the breakdown of the air-conditioning system, the Telkom Foundation takes its responsibility seriously. It meant a great deal for us to be able to step in and provide the required assistance.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s executive advisor, Professor Verne Harris, explained that the building was refurbished in 2010, and the upper level was meant to reflect and represent the revised mandate Madiba gave to the organisation.
Telkom’s group chief of corporate affairs Mpho McNamee concluded that Telkom chose to be involved with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and its archive, because what it protects is more than just recorded history. “It is a living classroom. The archive educates, inspires, and preserves the legacy of leadership, justice, and humanity.”
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