U-Matic
Mandela at the Westin-Speech 6-28-90
U-Matic S tape containing both footage of a choir performing at an unidentified church, followed by Nelson Mandela's appearance at the reception held in his honor at the Renaissance Center's Westin Hotel on June 28th, 1990. The footage from Mandela's event is continued from tape 2015.009.077, and elements of both tapes are edited together onto tape 2015.009.084.
The tape begins with the church choir performing accompanied by an organ. In a series of short shots the camera films a series of close-ups featuring a member of the choir, the organist, the church's altar, and candles. Five members of the choir then stand in front of the altar and perform the hymn "Have Thine Own Way, Lord." This portion of the tape ends after camera gets a brief close-up of the organist's face as she plays the same hymn again.
About eight minutes into the tape, the footage from Mandela's reception begins with a zoom on Nelson Mandela as he and his entourage make their way through the Westin Hotel's walk ways past crowds. The camera then moves inside of the ballroom, as Mandela and his security detail enters. Nearby members of the crowd can be overheard conversing about having difficultly seeing through the all of the people.
After another cut, Nelson Mandela is now on stage, where Detroit Pistons player John Salley gives him a hug, and presents both him and Winnie Mandela with a Pistons jacket and cap. With Salley's help, Nelson Mandela dons the cap and jacket. Meanwhile Arthur Johnson addresses the crowd--mentioning Mayor Coleman A. Young's role in hosting the weekly planning meetings at the Manoogian Mansion for this event. As Young steps to the podium a member of the crowd can be heard saying, in reference to the Pistons, "threepeat!" Young gives Mandela a very brief introduction. Mandela then speaks briefly on his appreciation and love for Detroit for its support of South Africa's struggle against Apartheid. He then apologizes that he cannot stay longer, as he is expected at Tiger Stadium for the Nelson Amandla Mandela Detroit '90 rally. The recording ends as Mandela begins to leave the stage.
The recording is on a 3M UCA 30s U-Matic Tape with "Mandela 3" written on the top in blue pen. The cassette is housed within a black plastic latching U-Matic tape case with a handwritten 3M VHS label on its cover.
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U-Matic
Mandela at the Westin
6-28-90
