Monday, 28th March 2012 - You can now
access the Nelson Mandela Digital Archive live on the web for free. The news
was announced today by Google and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (NMCM).
One is bound to find never-seen sequel manuscripts to Mandela’s
Long Walk to Freedom autobiography. Moreover, it promises to offer access to
extensive information about the life and legacy of the legendary South African
leader.
Reportedly, Google gave a $1.25m grant to the Johannesburg-based
NMCM in 2011 to help preserve and digitize thousands of archival documents,
photographs and videos about Mr. Mandela.
Verne Harris from the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory said, “It
is invigorating to see our combined efforts become a reality. This digital
initiative will make it possible for us to reach the full spectrum of our
stakeholders, from the global elite to systemically disadvantage South
Africans.”
To elaborate on this, Steve Crossan, Director of the Google
Cultural Institute said, “The Mandela Digital Archive Project shows how the
Internet can help preserve historical heritage and make it available to the
world. We’ve worked closely with the NMCM to create an interactive online
experience with powerful search and browsing tools, so that users can explore
Mr. Mandela’s inspiring life story.”
He added, “The Archive currently includes over 1900 unique
images, documents and videos, and will grow over time,” said Luke Mckend,
Country Manager for Google South Africa. “South Africans from all walks
of life can now engage with important parts of our country’s history. For
example, reading handwritten pages of a letter smuggled from Robben Island in
1977, or seeing Warrant documents that sent Mandela to jail first for 5 years
and then for life.”
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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