A year of purposeful action

This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation continued its work advancing social justice, from large-scale public events like the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture to internal reflections and strategy sessions, the Foundation’s work in 2024 demonstrated an ongoing commitment to address the complex realities of our times while embodying the values and guiding principles of our founder.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela.

Mandela Day has long been a cornerstone of the Foundation’s work since 2009; this year was no exception. With a call to action rooted in the theme It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity, individuals and organizations worldwide participated in service activities to alleviate poverty and ineqund inequity. This year’s efforts spotlighted food security initiatives, with communities across South Africa engaging in urban gardening projects, meal packing, and educational programs addressing systemic hunger. Mandela Day 2024 not only honoured Madiba’s legacy but also emphasised that collective action, no matter how small, can bring communities together and bring lasting positive impact.

This year’s Annual Lecture, delivered by Nobel Literature laureate, Abdulrazak Gurnah, was a profound exploration of humanity’s shared struggles and triumphs. The Lecture was held at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Linder Auditorium and tackled migration, belonging, and reconciliation in a world fractured by conflict and inequality. Gurnah’s message resonated deeply, urging us to confront our shared humanity as a guiding principle for addressing global challenges. The lecture served as both a moment of reflection and a call to action, inspiring audiences to engage with the complexities of the crises we face today.

The Foundation also turned inward this year, hosting a series of internal seminars and strategy sessions to grapple with the “polycrisis” of our time, confronting how interconnected global challenges are. These sessions refined the Foundation’s role as a solutions-oriented organisation, fostering dialogue on how to align our work with the needs of today while maintaining a focus on long-term impact.

Through these deliberations and robust dialogues, the Foundation deepened its focus on systemic solutions, recognising that addressing social injustice requires holistic approaches that engage multiple sectors of society. These conversations for me, reflected that hunger that still resides in so many of us, irrespective of age, race, gender - the dream of a just world still drives us and our work.

As 2024 draws to a close, the Nelson Mandela Foundation can proudly reflect on a year of impactful work that has changed lives, sparked critical conversations, and laid the groundwork for meaningful change. Guided by Nelson Mandela’s enduring values of justice and humanity, the Foundation remains persistent in its mission to create a world that is more equitable, just and inclusive for all.