Nelson Mandela Foundation

Audience receives Liberian president’s address warmly

July 12, 2008 – Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf stressed the importance of transparent, accountable government and the need to fight corruption in Africa, in a wide-ranging address delivered as the 6th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Kliptown, Soweto, this afternoon.

“Africa is not poor, but poorly managed,” she said, but encouraged the audience of hundreds of invited guests to be positive about the continent’s future. But, she said, there was no stopping the African Renaissance. “The new Africa is at hand!” she said.

The Sixth Annual Lecture address

Our revered President Mandela, our sister Graça Machel; distinguished ladies and gentlemen:

What an honor it is to be standing before His Excellency, Nelson Mandela, to deliver the 6th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture here at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto.  What an honour to follow all the many sterling persons who have given this speech before me.

Madiba addresses audience at Sixth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Kliptown, Soweto

July 12, 2008 – Mr Mandela opened the Annual Lecture event this afternoon with the following words:

President Johnson-Sirleaf, distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

We have for years remarked about people coming to such events primarily to see what an old man looks like. To see a ninety-year-old in real life must surely be an irresistible temptation!