No such thing as coincidence…

by aidscentre

It all started about 6 months ago when I “accidentally” met Mark Peters at a Shell station in Somerset West where we were both getting our cars washed.  Instead of just staring at the ground, as people tend to do sometimes, we made silly jokes and started a conversation. We are both very sociable souls and happy to chat to new people, explore new horizons, find out what makes other people tick, what they do, how they do it and if we can learn something from them.

So, I spoke about my marketing job at the Africa Centre and he spoke about his work as a war photographer, journalist and his philantropic background.  We decided to meet again and since then a lot as happened. 

Below is the story, in a letter we are sending out to the world, or more specifically universities and museums. It is a story of good intentions and of sharing.  Sharing a legacy of a man we all admire and love, sharing the work of a human being who has seen grief, sharing in order to pay back to society via our work at the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management. 

To me, this story proves there are no “accidental” encounters, there is no such thing as coincidence…everything does happen for a reason…even though sometimes we have to wait to know what that reason might be…

Dear Sir, Madam, 

The Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management is a Non-Profit Organisation and part of the Hope Project at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. We recently have been given the opportunity to be part of below mentioned and wanted to inform you herewith.  

We wish to share it with you because the Newsweek photographer mentioned below, was picturing this unique collection in f.ex. a University library or museum to keep Madiba’s legacy alive. It would be much appreciated if you could let us know your feedback.  

Mark Peters is a retired Newsweek photographer, war journalist and philanthropist. He wishes to sell his unique collection of autographed Mandela pictures and will donate part of the proceeds to the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management.

Newsweek Magazine for whom Mark worked, for the second time in Newsweek’s history, held the presses for the cover of Newsweek Magazine – the first hold was for the end of the 2nd World War and the next to show the free Nelson Mandela making Newsweek magazine the first magazine in the world to have Nelson Mandela on its cover.   

Mark has shared a relationship with Mr Mandela where he got to know him well. In fact when Nelson Mandela went back to Robben Island to visit his old prison cell for the first time as a free man, he chose Mark to be the first person to accompany him into the cell. Mark has a unique collection which includes 5 pieces of memorabilia. These are as follows:  

  • A large laminated cover of Newsweek magazine which Mr Mandela signed in 1992 when he went to Mark’s home for Sunday lunch! This is the only signed cover in the world.
  • In 2000 Mr Mandela signed three separate prints of the same picture – one he signed to Mark, the photographer which is part of the collection (in fact the only one in the world that is “double signed”)! One was given to Mr Mandela and the third signed print was given to Prince Phillip – husband of the Queen of England – for the Duke of Edinburgh Children’s Awards. Prince Phillip and his son, Prince Edward, travelled to Cape Town, South Africa in 2002 to auction the print at a fund raising dinner. At the dinner were dignitaries such as the Roosevelt family and Mr/s Pulitzer. The amount raised was the most ever for Prince Phillip’s children’s fund – UKP 204 000!
  • Also in the collection are two unique apartheid era signs.
  • Included in the collection is a wonderful picture of Mr Mandela taken at his home when he invited Mark for lunch. The photo shows Mr Mandela playing music in the Marimba band!  

So in conclusion the collection illustrates – 1. Coming out of prison. 2. Why he went to prison. 3. A free man! 

Mark has been looking for an opportunity to use this collection for the greater good of keeping Mr Mandela’s legacy alive not only in South Africa but globally.

It is worth noting that Newsweek is no longer in print and is now only available via the internet, making the signed Newsweek cover an important piece of American history.  

The collection is estimated at $400 000- $500 000. The amount of the sale going to the Africa Centre NPO will be ZAR 500 000.

Herewith you will find links to the interview with Mark Peters and Prof Perry about the collection (SABC3, Expresso Morning Show on Monday 20th of May):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtcbK6AY2zo&list=UUeHrOkKJYhCcgB6xrKNwvJQ&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UTNuG45xfI&list=UUeHrOkKJYhCcgB6xrKNwvJQ&index=1

Attached, for your perusal, one of the pictures.

A letter of authentication by Richard M. Smith, the former Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek Magazine can be provided upon request. 

 Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information.

 Kind regards,

Natascha Proost 

Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management

STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY | Private Bag X1 | Matieland 7602 | RSA

T: +27 21 808 9465 | Cell: +27 (0)76 582 10 15

E: natascha@sun.ac.za | W: www.aidscentre.sun.ac.za

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Donate: http://www.givengain.com/cause/3831/projects/11876/

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