[DEBATE] : Wolpe Trust withdraws from screening Mbeki documentary

[Jane Duncan]

Their reasons are really weak, and in fact quite absurd. What on earth is 
meant by 'It is not in the Trust’s terms of reference to engage in issues 
that are purely political or practical', and that the saga had become 'about 
activism'? Why don't they come clean and simply tell us the truth, namely 
that they were too timid to follow through with their original decision to 
flight the film once the debate heated up. I think that all of us who value 
the role of the Trust and its activities, and who have been called on the 
participate in various Wolpe platforms, should disassociate ourselves from 
this weak-kneed, flaccid act of self-censorship.

Having viewed the Thabo Mbeki documentary four times, I certainly do not 
think it is any great shakes, but the space to watch it and critique it must 
be defended. It is especially important that an institution like the Wolpe 
Trust sticks to its guns on this one, as the sort of rubust critical 
intellectual thinking the Trust claims to promote, will be impossible 
without free speech.

Shame Harold Wolpe Trust, shame!

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Jacobs" <tintinyana at gmail.com>
To: <debate at lists.kabissa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 6:27 PM
Subject: [DEBATE] : Wolpe Trust withdraws from screening Mbeki documentary




--------------------------------------------
Sean Jacobs
http://theleoafricanus.blogspot.com

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Vanja Karth" <wolpetrust at mweb.co.za>
> Date: July 25, 2007 8:36:30 AM EDT
> To: <wolpe-cape at mail.unwembi.co.za>
> Subject: [Wolpe-cape] The Trust's statement on the Mbeki documentary
> matter
>
> Following a meeting of the Board Trustees held this Saturday 21st July
> a decision was taken to withdraw our involvement in the viewings and
> the subsequent panel discussion on the documentary on Thabo Mbeki on
> Monday and Tuesday evening. The board of Trustees wish to express
> their sincere regret and apologise for any inconvenience or
> disappointed this may have caused.
>
> The Trust, as with any other democratic institution, feels it has the
> right to make certain internal decisions that may not either sit well
> or please people. Throughout the Trust’s history, we have had debates,
> or made decisions to participate in events, that at times have upset
> political structures and at times upset certain sectors of civil
> society. We believe this is the right and in fact the role of an
> independent organisation that supports critical and open engagement
> around issues of importance to South African society. We are upset by
> the allegations and insinuations that the decision to withdraw our
> participation from the event was based on political pressure from the
> ANC. We are equally upset that that in the press and in subsequent
> discussions, reference has only been made to the two Trustees (Kader
> Asmal and Nic Wolpe) who are known to be involved in the ANC. Two
> other, non-ANC aligned trustees supported the decision as well and
> their support allowed for a democratic decision to be made within the
> Trust.
>
> The legacy that Harold left was one of rigorous intellectual debate,
> discussion and analysis. In line with that legacy, the Trust’s mandate
> is to engage in issues in a manner that is in-depth, theoretical and
> empirical. It is not in the Trust’s terms of reference to engage in
> issues that are purely political or practical. By late last week , it
> had become clear to the Trust that the saga around the Mbeki
> documentary had become an issue of activism. We do not believe it is
> the role of the Trust to take up issues in a way that is merely
> activist without being balanced by theoretical and empirical
> engagement and discussion. It was on these grounds that we realised we
> had made an error of judgement involving ourselves in an event that
> was predominantly an activist issue.
>
> We did not intend for the viewings of the documentary to be halted and
> in fact did our utmost to ensure that the screening continue and not
> in anyway be jeopardised by the Trust’s withdrawal.
>
> We hope that you will continue to attend our events and engage with us
> in critical and open dialogue and debate.
>
> Please do not hesitate to contact the Trust should you want any
> further clarity on our position in this matter
>
>
>
>
> Ms Vanja Karth
> National Co-ordinator
> Harold Wolpe Memorial Trust
> Unit F
> Colstine Terrace
> 88 Belvedere Rd
> CLAREMONT
> 7708
> Tel: +27 21 674 0361
> Fax: 086 670 6772
> Cell: +27 82 581 1852
> Email: wolpetrust at mweb.co.za
> Web site: www.wolpetrust.org.za
>
> ____________________________
> Disclaimer: This email and any accompanying
> attachments are confidential and intended only for the individual(s)
> to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient,
> please inform the sender via return email, and delete the message and
> its attachments immediately. The Harold Wolpe Memorial Trust does not
> accept responsibility for any viruses which might be contained in this
> email or attached files.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harold Wolpe Memorial Trust
> http://www.wolpetrust.org.za


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