The Black Pimpernel, the third in a series of nine comics depicting the life of Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela and BHP Billiton South Africa chairperson Dr Vincent Maphai

Third Madiba comic now available The third comic in a series on Nelson Mandela's life is now available. This issue deals with Madiba's time living in the 'shadows' as the Black Pimpernel. May 2, 2006 By Thabang Mokoka The Black Pimpernel, the third in a series of nine comics depicting the life of Nelson Mandela, has been published. The Madiba Legacy Series, produced by the Nelson Mandela Foundation's Centre of Memory and Commemoration Project, depicts Madiba's life in comic book form. Each book is 28-pages. "The comics emphasise the attributes and qualities that have made Nelson Mandela the great leader he is today, and focus on the fact that all people can aspire to that," says BHP Billiton South Africa chairman Dr Vincent Maphai. "[The comics] play an important role in educating our people about his life and his contribution to our society." BHP Billiton South Africa contributed some R750 000 to the legacy series. The latest issue takes its title from the name the press gave to a young Mandela following the police's inability to catch him. The Black Pimpernel is a play on Baroness Emmuska Orczy's fictional character, The Scarlet Pimpernel, who evaded capture during the French Revolution. It covers the years from 1956 to the beginning of 1962, from the Treason Trial that took place in the Drill Hall to the marriage of Mandela and Winnie Madikizela, from the massacre at Sharpeville in 1960 to Mandela's time underground. The comics bring factual information to people who are not reached by the usual media. "Comic books are a rite of passage for most children, but they are also becoming more and more popular as education aids," says Maphai. "They are easier to read than regular books. They can play an important role in helping to improve literacy by enticing reluctant readers toward the world of print." Over one million copies of each comic book will be distributed free of charge nationwide. The first comic was released in October 2005. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za