Nelson Mandela Foundation

Johannesburg, 6 December 2013 -  We and the rest of the world have lost a great hero, active citizen, father, grandfather and friend. We will remember Nelson Mandela forever for his perseverance, steadfast dedication to serving others and inspirational leadership during times of great strife.

Nelson Mandela was an exceptional honorary trustee of Africa Rising Foundation (AR). We will remember his charisma, self-deprecating sense of humour and lack of bitterness over his harsh treatment, as well as his amazing life story.

Being one of the most revered statesmen in the world, he led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa with a multiracial democracy. As Africans, he has truly empowered each of us to say "I am an African – I understand what it means to be African and above all, I am proud to be an African!"

His legacy truly lives on through his family and the several organisations he set up and supported, including ours. We especially mourn the loss of this great hero with our close friends and fellow trustees of AR Ndaba Mandela, Kweku Amuah Mandela and Dorothy Amuah Mandela, and the rest of the family, the country and the world.

Rise up and live on by sending out "#1918 – 2013" on your Twitter accounts.

About Africa Rising: AR is an organisation that works with youth, in creating a new breed of Africans that will empower Africa to be at the forefront of its development. AR was founded by Ndaba and Kweku Mandela in late 2009. The two grandsons sought to continue the great work of their grandfather, Nelson Mandela, in a way that is relevant to the new struggles young Africans face in the twenty-first century by instilling and uplifting a heightened sense of pride and purpose in young Africans and creating a sustainable platform. AR is committed to publicising the positive image of Africa to the world through publications, films, media and social interaction, in order to change the mindset of young Africans.