by Marion Smith
The National Library of South Africa in Pretoria hosted the official launch of the “Two Nations. Telling Stories” exhibition, a collaboration between the British High Commission to South Africa and the National Library of South Africa. The exhibition was first unveiled during the King’s Birthday Party in June 2026, celebrating the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, before opening to the public at the library.
The exhibition explores the enduring literary and cultural connections between the United Kingdom and South Africa. Through memorable quotations from celebrated writers, thinkers and leaders from both countries, visitors are invited to reflect on themes of identity, justice, resilience, freedom and shared humanity. The exhibition demonstrates how stories can transcend borders, bringing people together across generations and cultures.
Welcoming guests to the launch, British High Commissioner Lisa Weedon highlighted the depth and diversity of the relationship between the United Kingdom and South Africa.
“We have a really broad relationship with South Africa,” she said. “Across science, innovation, artificial intelligence, gender-based violence, economic growth, trade and the reform of the multilateral system, we work together on so many issues. We often say that we work with South Africa because everything we do is built on partnership.”
She emphasised that while cooperation between governments remains important, it is the connections between people that create lasting friendships.
“People-to-people exchanges are at the heart of what we do. We love building networks, creating opportunities and bringing people together. When it comes to culture and literature, I can’t think of a more powerful way to unite communities, build trust and share the common experiences of humanity and creativity.”
The High Commissioner also reflected on how classic works of literature continue to resonate with audiences today, noting that timeless stories, from the works of William Shakespeare to Winnie-the-Pooh and many others, continue to offer lessons and insights that remain relevant in everyday life.
Quoting South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, she remarked that at a time when forces seek to divide societies, art, culture and heritage remain powerful forces for bringing people together.
The exhibition also celebrates several important literary milestones taking place in 2026, including the centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh, the 160th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, the 50th anniversary of the death of Agatha Christie and the 60th anniversary of UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, which will be commemorated in September.
Featuring seven striking sculptural display panels, the exhibition weaves together historical and contemporary quotations from British and South African voices. Rather than presenting a single narrative, it embraces diverse perspectives, demonstrating that despite different histories and experiences, both nations share many common values and aspirations.
At its heart, the exhibition seeks to encourage cross-cultural dialogue while celebrating storytelling as a bridge between nations. Visitors are invited to discover how literature preserves history, inspires hope, challenges injustice and continues to shape societies.
The partnership between the British High Commission and the National Library of South Africa also marks the beginning of what organisers hope will become an ongoing cultural collaboration, strengthening ties through education, literature and the arts.
As guests explored the exhibition, one message became clear: stories have a remarkable ability to connect people across continents, reminding us that while every story may begin in a different place, the values, emotions and experiences they carry can belong to us all.
