Nelson Mandela Foundation

Education Initiatives

Everyone knows Nelson Mandela’s insightful injunction: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In this centenary year of Mandela’s birth we remember and build on his social justice legacy, with these words ringing in our ears.

Our education initiatives aim to fulfil all four of the primary objectives of this centenary year:  the eradication of poverty and inequality, the dismantling of structural racism, the building of institutions of democracy, and the broadening of freedom of information.

“A real leader uses every issue, no matter how serious and sensitive, to ensure that at the end of the debate we should emerge stronger and more united than ever before.” – Nelson Mandela

Event Date Description
Tshimong Youth Debate Competition April 2018 Inaugural Nelson Mandela Debating Challenge.
Introducing Mandela Rhodes Foundation Centenary Scholars 14 July 2018 The Mandela Rhodes Foundation will celebrate Nelson Mandela's centenary with a milestone 100 Mandela Rhodes Scholars in residence in 2018. This was a commitment made to Mandela, the founding patron, 15 years ago, when the Mandela Rhodes Foundation was formed. The accomplishment serves as a living testament to the continued vision and dream that Mandela had of providing education and exceptional leadership development opportunities to young leaders from across the African continent.
Nelson Mandela Centenary Libraries (Shwashweni Primary School) October 2018 The Shwashweni school library, in Mbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, is being completed in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation and is to be named one of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Libraries.
Nelson Mandela Centenary Libraries (Zamokuhle Primary School) November 2018 The Zamokuhle school library, in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, is being completed in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation and is to be named one of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Libraries.