Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King History

The observance of Martin Luther King Jr. is a global event to honours the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights activist in the United States. Recognised as a protector of human dignity and a champion for racial equality, this observance aims to communicate the importance of non-violent activism and promote equality for all. Special ceremonies, academic discourses, and public rallies typically feature, along with the sharing of media content expounding King's teachings and philosophies in both voice and print.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s universal principles of social justice and human rights have a profound resonance in South Africa due to our shared history of battling racial discrimination. King was an influential figure against racial segregation and often drew parallels between the struggles in America and those in South Africa under apartheid. While he never visited South Africa, his advocacy for non-violence, peaceful protest and civil disobedience significantly influenced our anti-apartheid movement, as activists embraced his methods as instruments of change.

In South Africa, observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day is infused with reflection, education, and empowerment. Many cultural, educational, and social institutions arrange lectures, exhibits and public debates. These events use King's philosophies as a prism to interrogate current socio-political landscapes and chart paths for future progress. While the global event occurs annually on the third Monday of January, South African activities around the observance are not confined to a specific date, but rather spread throughout January, providing ample opportunity for remembrance and engagement.

Facts & quotes about Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was 35 years old, which made him the youngest Peace Prize winner at the time.
• I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., August 28, 1963.
• He is one of the two Americans whose birthdays are observed as federal holidays, the other one being George Washington.
• King was deeply concerned about the situation in South Africa, and he publicly denounced apartheid and the unjust treatment of black South Africans. In 1965, he spoke out against the apartheid system calling it an affront to human dignity.
• Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement he led in the United States greatly inspired the South African anti-apartheid leaders, particularly Nelson Mandela.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Top things to do in South Africa for Martin Luther King Jr.

• Watch a movie about MLK. Some popular films include: Our Friend Martin (1999), Selma(2014) and The Witness (2008)
• Films to watch about Martin Luther King Jr. are:
  Selma - A film that chronicles MLK's campaign to secure equal voting rights, culminating in the iconic walk from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.
  King in the Wilderness - This documentary follows the last years of MLK's life and his increased radicalization that was less known about him.
  Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - This film is based on the life of Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid revolutionary who became the first black president of South Africa.