FURD
Last summer (2015) saw the publication of the second comic book in FURD's 'Pioneers' series - `Albert Johanneson: The First Black Superstar'. It tells 'the moving story of a 20 year old from a Johannesburg township who became a Yorkshire hero'. Written by FURD's Howard Holmes and illustrated by Archie Birch in Cape Town, the comic book built on the partnership forged between FURD and the District Six Museum in Cape Town when the two organisations collaborated to produce an exhibition about the footballing relationship between South Africa and Britain which was on show at the Museum during the 2010 World Cup finals.
The South African media, exhibition and comic book launch was held on 18 and 21 March 2016 at the District Six Museum. Attendees included Lucas Radebe, Quinton Fortune, Graham Stuart and Mark Bright. Representatives of the South African Football Association, and former Glenville and Cape Ramblers players, contemporaries of Albert's, were also present, sharing stories and memories of Albert. Stan Henkeman of the Anti-Racism Network of South Africa, and Karlind Govender from Cure Racism South Africa also participated on Human Rights Day.
Albert's remarkable story is the focus of an exhibition on display for the next few weeks at the District Six Homecoming Centre.
The Albert Johanneson comic book is now on sale in the District Six Museum bookshop for R30, as well as from the U-Mix Centre, Sheffield, for 2 pounds.
The photos used here are courtesy of Paul Grendon and the District Six Museum.