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NewsSep 21, 2017

Anti-apartheid activist Mac Maharaj speaks

Nelson Mandela's confidant to lead discussion ‘Democracy under Siege’ in Sherrill Library

Outside Sherrill Library in autumn.

Lesley University is welcoming longtime human-rights activist and Nelson Mandela confidant Mac Maharaj to campus for a discussion, “Democracy under Siege: An African Perspective.”

The presentation is at 4 p.m., Oct. 10, in Room 350 of Sherrill Library, 89 Brattle St. and is free and open to all.

mac maharaj, hands together, in deep thought
Mac Maharaj will speak on October 10 at Sherrill Library.

Sathyandranath Ragunanan “Mac” Maharaj, was active in the fight against South African apartheid and was imprisoned by the government for his activism. He endured torture and abuse, but did not abandon a desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. During his time in the Robben Island prison with Nelson Mandela, he helped to secretly transcribe the future South African president’s life history, and smuggled the text out upon his release. The text ultimately became Mandela’s autobiography “A Long Walk to Freedom.”

Maharaj was an instrumental member of the African National Congress negotiation team and the peace process that led to elections in 1994. He served as minister for transportation in President Mandela’s government, and more recently served as official spokesperson to South African President Jacob Zuma, retiring in 2015.

Lesley University Associate Professor Sonia Perez Villanueva says, “Mac has seen the worst of humanity, yet endured in his belief in the goodness of humanity. His words offer us in the Lesley community and beyond a unique set of insights to understand our world and its capability for both good and evil. This is an event not to be missed.”

headshot of sonia perez villanueva
Sonia Perez Villanueva.

The Library Lecture Series offers lectures and discussions; address current issues and events; and aims at bringing together the many diverse points of the Lesley community. Hedi BenAicha, our dean of libraries, says, “Having Mr. Mac Maharaj as our opening lecture is an honor and an opportunity to discuss a very timely topic, democracy under siege.”