Footprints in the Sands of Time - Celebrating Events and Heroes of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in South Africa

Oct 19, 2026

Footprints in the Sands of Time presents a curated historical reflection on pivotal events and influential figures in South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy. The publication foregrounds themes of truth-telling, collective responsibility, and moral inspiration, illustrated through quotes and commemorations tied to major anniversaries. It includes a structured contents sequence covering milestones such as the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, anti-apartheid resistance, landmark declarations, and commemorations of key leaders and events.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages55

Reading Time2 h 19 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Two Africas: The One Before and the One After the Holocaust

200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

We Die Like Brothers ... We Are the Sons of Africa

90th Anniversary of the Sinking of the SS Mendi

We Shall Resist

90th Anniversary of the Three Doctors’ Pact

Let My People Go

50th Anniversary of the Death of Nkosi Albert Luthuli

Champion of Freedom

90th Anniversary of the Birth of Oliver Reginald Tambo

Of the African, by the Africans, for Africans

29th Anniversary of the Death of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe

Black Man, You Are on Your Own

30th Anniversary of the Death of Steve Bantu Biko

Asikwelwa! We Will Not Ride!

50th Anniversary of the Alexandra Bus Boycott

Dawn of Negotiation

20th Anniversary of the Dakar Declaration

Creating Our Future Today

5th Anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Learning Activities

Acknowledgements

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF TIME CELEBRATING EVENTS AND HEROES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF TIME ISBN 978-1-77018-205-9 © Department of Education 2007 All rights reserved. You may copy material from this publication for use in non-proﬁt education programmes if you acknowledge the source. For use in publication, please obtain the written permission of the Department of Education. Enquiries Directorate: Race and Values, Department of Education, Room 223, 123 Schoeman Street, Pretoria Tel: (012) 312-5080 Fax: (012) 326-1909 [Email: values@doe.gov.za](Email: values@doe.gov.za) CELEBRATING EVENTS AND HEROES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA Courtesy Government Commun icat ion and Information System (GCIS) President Thabo Mbeki LABOUR OF LOVE Unveiling the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Legacy Project in August 2004, President Thabo Mbeki reminded us that: “... as part of the efforts to liberate ourselves from apartheid and colonialism, both physically and mentally, we have to engage in the process of telling the truth about the history of our country, so that all of our people, armed with this truth, can conﬁdently face the challenges of this day and the next. “This labour of love, of telling the true story of South Africa and Africa, has to be intensiﬁed on all fronts, so that as Africans we are able to write, present and interpret our history, our conditions and life circumstances, according to our knowledge and experience. “It is a challenge that confronts all Africans everywhere -on our continent and in the Diaspora-to deﬁne ourselves, not in the image of others, or according to the dictates and fancies of people other than ourselves ...” sub·lime adj 1. so awe-inspiringly beautiful as to seem almost heavenly 2. of the highest moral or spiritual value 3. excellent or particularly impressive (informal) 4. complete or utter So, what‘footprints in the sands of time’will you leave behind? President Mbeki goes on to quote from a favourite poem of Nkosi Albert Luthuli; A Psalm of Life, by Henry Longfellow: Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. “I am conﬁdent that through our combined efforts, together we can make the lives of our people sublime and magniﬁcent, uplifting particularly those who occupy the lowest rung in our social order. In doing so, and as the poet said, we will emulate A.J. Luthuli in leaving behind us ‘footprints on the sands of time’.” CONTENTS TWO AFRICAS: THE ONE BEFORE AND THE ONE AFTER THE HOLOCAUST.......7 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade WE DIE LIKE BROTHERS ... WE ARE THE SONS OF AFRICA ...............................15 90th Anniversary of the Sinking of the SS Mendi WE SHALL RESIST .................................................................................................21 90th Anniversary of the Three Doctors’ Pact LET MY PEOPLE GO ...............................................................................................29 50th Anniversary of the Death of Nkosi Albert Luthuli CHAMPION OF FREEDOM ......................................................................................37 90th Anniversary of the Birth of Oliver Reginald Tambo OF THE AFRICAN, BY THE AFRICANS, FOR AFRICANS ......................................47 29th Anniversary of the Death of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe BLACK MAN, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN ................................................................55 30th Anniversary of the Death of Steve Bantu Biko ASIKWELWA! WE WILL NOT RIDE! ........................................................................63 50th Anniversary of the Alexandra Bus Boycott DAWN O

FAQs

What is the central theme of Footprints in the Sands of Time?

The publication focuses on commemorating events and heroes of South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy, emphasizing truth-telling and collective effort.

Which historical milestones does the table of contents highlight?

It highlights anniversary observances tied to major events and figures, including the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, anti-apartheid resistance, and remembrance of prominent leaders.

How does the book connect inspiration to social progress?

It uses speeches and poetic quotations to stress that people can make their lives “sublime” and leave lasting “footprints on the sands of time,” particularly by uplifting those with the lowest social standing.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin