“The Meaning of Home” Photo Exhibition at Nelson Mandela Foundation Can Motivate Ordinary Citizens

Looking at this stark and dramatic photograph pictured above, it's easy to imagine it as the beginning of the long walk to freedom for Nelson Mandela, as it shows a winding road leading out of Qnu, the humble, rural town where Madiba was born.

"The Meaning of Home” is a photo exhibition which traces Nelson Mandela’s childhood journeys through rural towns in the Eastern Cape, and is currently on display at the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s offices.

This series of black and white photographs by acclaimed photographer, Bonile Bam, documents the landscape of Mr Mandela’s hometown and surrounds, giving us insight into the physical setting in which Mr Mandela lived as a boy.

Bam, who hails from the Eastern Cape, was selected for the prestigious Getty Images Fellows Programme, where he completed a photography course in New York before returning to South Africa. He has been exhibited in New York, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Bam said he wanted to tell the story of an icon through the landscape and structures that influenced his political life, and help people to understand Mr Mandela a bit better:

“Most people don’t know where Madiba is coming from and I wanted to share with ordinary citizens, or anyone who is interested in his roots, that, as much as he is a recognised figure in the world, he is a humble person who comes from an ordinary background. I think we can motivate other people who might be hopeless and think that they cannot be leaders in the future.”

Bam’s next showing, a group exhibition of three generations of South African photographers entitled “Struggle, Apartheid and Freedom”, will open in October at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.

Nelson Mandela Foundation Supports Take a Girl Child to Work Campaign

Nomvula Sikhakhane with the Foundation’s Florence Garishe

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has taken part in the Take a Girl Child to Work campaign, hosting 13-year-old Nomvula Sikhakhane from Rand Girls’ School on Thursday, August 19.
Sikhakhane spent the day learning more about the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and its Centre of Memory and Dialogue.

“It was a great experience because I got to know what most people do and actually get a picture of what happens at the Nelson Mandela Foundation,” Sikhakhane said.

The Centre of Memory and Dialogue was established to draw on the leadership of Nelson Mandela and encourage people to enter into discussion – often about difficult subjects – in order to address the challenges South Africa faces today.

The best part of her day was when she watched a documentary about Mr Mandela in the Foundation’s auditorium, she said.

“I got to understand how Nelson Mandela fought for the country and sacrificed his life for the people.”

World Humanitarian Day Video Highlights Philosophy of Aid Workers

Last week's World Humanitarian Day brought a focus to the people who serve humanity, no matter what the circumstances. This inspiring video reminds us what it takes for aid workers to respond to global tragedies and social issues.

Waging war on disease, hunger, and violence on women; "everyone is entitled to our help, regardless of race, religion or politics. We work in dangerous environments, but we do not carry guns, or take sides".

The messages of World Humanitarian Day emphasize how preventing these brave individuals from doing their work "harms no-one more than the most vulnerable. Today is a good time for a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles by all concerned" - Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes.

We admire this community of determined people and how their motivation stems from the desire to make a difference, just as the 46664 Bangle project does. We especially loved the cameo feature of Matt making a guest appearance in the World Humanitarian Day video (as in Where The Hell Is Matt). Look out for him - and yes, he is dancing badly!

World Humanitarian Day - What Is It, and What Can You Do?

When natural and man-made disasters happen, millions of people’s lives are destroyed, often in areas that are already suffering from hunger, disease or inadequate infrastructure. Teams of humanitarian aid workers spring into action and fulfill their commitment to help others; dedicating their efforts and skills to providing life-saving assistance.

These humanitarian aid workers come from all corners of the world, reflecting all cultures and backgrounds. Although they’re driven by diverse motivations, they are united by their commitment to humanitarianism – they simply want to help those in need.

Sadly, there’s a growing perception that humanitarian aid is delivered exclusively by Western organizations or agencies and somehow represents one religious world view, and this has resulted in an increasing number of targeted attacks on the very people who’re there to help.

The injury and deaths of humanitarian aid workers has compelled the United Nations to raise public awareness of humanitarian assistance through World Humanitarian Day on August 19th; honoring those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and those who continue to bring assistance and relief to millions.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the day “is meant to shine a spotlight on people in need, to ensure they receive the assistance they deserve.”

Just as Nelson Mandela Day is about making the world a better place, every day, not just on July 18th, so is World Humanitarian Day an ongoing reminder of the principles of humanitarianism, irrespective of race, creed, or cultural ideals. As diverse as the humanitarian aid workers and their projects are, they have the same goal: to provide their assistance with humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

On August 19th, take a moment to reflect on the work of these individual and anonymous heroes who willingly answer the cry for help. Learn more about their work, share their experiences, and consider how you can offer them your support.

National Women's Day in South Africa - See Impact on Wellbeing of Children

As South Africa celebrates its women today, and acknowledges the important role they play as they juggle family, business and social responsibilities, we found this Unicef report on how the world's children are impacted by the way their mothers are treated.

The report focuses on the discrimination and disempowerment women face throughout their lives and how that impacts children’s lives. Key messages:

• Gender equality and the well-being of children go hand in hand.
• Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and development.
• Gender equality produces a double dividend: It benefits both women and children
• Healthy, educated and empowered women have healthy, educated and confident daughters and sons.
• Gender equality will not only empower women to overcome poverty and live full and productive lives, but will better the lives of children, families and countries as well.
• Gender equality is not only morally right, it is pivotal to human progress and sustainable development
• Promoting gender equality and empowering women will contribute to reducing poverty and hunger, saving children’s lives, improving maternal health, ensuring universal education, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
  

Happy Women's Day to the women of the world, particularly those in South Africa who proudly work on the 46664 Bangle project. The 46664 Bangle project makes a direct difference in the lives of others. In the words of one of the ladies on the 46664 Bangle team, “The bangles are made so that [Nelson Mandela’s] selfless contribution should be known by everyone, even the future generations.”
Buy a Bangle, Change a Life.

This Week: 48-Year Anniversary of Nelson Mandela's Arrest

Photo: David Turnley-Corbis

On 5th August 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested in South Africa, marking the beginnng of his 27 years imprisonment.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation urges us to acknowledge the sacrifices of all those who brought about democracy to South Africa. We can do that by trying to “make every day a Mandela Day”. When we see this as an opportunity to do something good for our community, especially for those less fortunate than us, then we continue the spirit of Mandela Day - long after the official date of July 18th.

The words of Nelson Mandela 48 years ago in what became known as his “Black man in a white man’s court” speech:

“Whatever sentence Your Worship sees fit to impose upon me for the crime for which I have been convicted before this court, may it rest assured that when my sentence has been completed I will still be moved, as men are always moved, by their consciences; I will still be moved by my dislike of the race discrimination against my people when I come out from serving my sentence, to take up again, as best I can, the struggle for the removal of those injustices until they are finally abolished once and for all.”

As we support the 46664 Bangle project and the 46664 campaign messages about equality, social responsibility and justice, these words inspire us to make every day a Mandela Day, and make a difference in the lives of others.

Ariel Dorfman Delivers Thought-Provoking Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture

Chilean-American author, writer and human rights activist, Ariel Dorfman, delivered the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on July 31 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The theme of his lecture was memory, justice and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO, Achmat Dangor, opened the lecture which was attended by an audience of 2,000 people.

The audience was reminded that “Memory does not exist in a vacuum,” and that we need to allow diverse memories and interpretations of history to coexist if we are to reconcile, even in our differences.

Emphasising the importance of justice being done in the name of future generations, rather than of retribution, Dorfman said, “We cannot undo the damage of the past, but must strive instead to undo the damage to the future, we must prove in our actions tomorrow that we have learned from the terrors and sins of yesteryear.”

He ended by saying:

“There is no guarantee that we will ever reach the deep reconciliation we need as a species. Indeed, I tend to think that some damage done is irreparable. But when despair visits me, I hold onto the image of the garden, a garden that grows like memories should. A garden that grows as justice should. A garden that grows like true reconciliation should.”

“We need to always remember the multiple, infinite gardens of Nelson Mandela and his people.”

See video footage of the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture here
Read more information at the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Support the 46664 Campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation by buying an official 46664 Bangle bracelet here