Award winning writer Charlene Smith will discuss Nelson Mandela and his relationship with the United States three days ahead of his 94th birthday on July 15, 2012 at 2pm, The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda MD 20815. Phone 301-654-8664 or go to www.writer.org
Smith who reported on South African resistance to apartheid for media including the Los Angeles Times, CBS 60-Minutes, and ABC's Nightline first met Nelson Mandela on the third day of his release from 27 years jail. A warm friendship developed. Her book, Mandela: In Celebration of a Great Life and released on June 1, 2012 is already in its second reprint.
She will be introduced by Johnny Moloto, deputy chief of mission at the South African embassy in Washington D.C. The embassy has a range of events ahead of Mandela's 94th birthday on July 18, and in celebration of his 67 years of public service. This year also marks 100 years of the African National Congress, the organization Mandela devoted his life too and which, with the help of Americans dedicated to ending racial oppression, brought democracy to South Africa.
