On 5th July 2019, the Joffe Charitable Trust brought together old friends and current partners to celebrate our founder, Joel Joffe, and discuss our shared endeavours.
We watched a wonderful video clip of Joel recalling how he tried and failed to edit one of the most famous closing lines in history, from Nelson Mandela’s speech from the dock. And we heard Nobulali Dangezele perform a very personal letter from Mandela to Joel. It was one of Joel’s prized possessions, hanging on his study wall.
Julia Lalla-Maharajh spoke movingly about how Joel and the Joffe Charitable Trust’s early support had helped her establish the Orchid Project, and make the impossible possible.
Our Director, Alex Jacobs, spoke about what the Joffe Charitable Trust is doing now, how we do it and continuing to apply lessons from the struggle for democracy in South Africa. Download his speech.