Public to Help Identify Nelson Mandela Photos

Photo courtesy of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is appealing to the public to assist in finding missing information to accompany many photographs in their collection.

Over the years, they’ve received many photographs taken of Nelson Mandela and now they need details of those occasions so that they can archive them accurately.

“We are asking the public to help build this resource which will be richer when we have more information. It is also so that the public can feel they are part of this,” said communications manager, Sello Hatang.

Recognize yourself in any of these photographs? Contact the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at nmf@nelsonmandela.org and help complete the picture.

11 February ~ Nelson Mandela's Release from Prison and Egypt's Freedom

11th February turned out to be a grand day for democracy, indeed. Not only was it the 21-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, but today was also a day for celebration in Egypt as the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak came to an end.


An Egyption army officer read out a statement acknowledging, "There is no legitimacy other than that of the people".


As crowds cheered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, chanting, "Egypt is free!" , thousands in South Africa also remembered their first taste of freedom in 1990, when Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster prison, a free man.


Read the speech Nelson Mandela delivered on that day, and find out more about how he started his first day of freedom on 12th February, 1990.


We celebrate with Egypt and wish them a peaceful and happy transition to free and fair, democratic elections.

Nelson Mandela Foundation on Xenophobia

Xenophobia - a word most people had never heard of, let alone knew how to pronounce, until 2008 when South Africa experienced a violent outbreak of xenophobic behavior.

Soon, it became the ugly buzzword used to describe the intolerance of migrant workers and illegal immigrants - the "hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers or of their politics or culture". Attacks on these foreigners highlighted the underlying social issues causing thousands of people to leave their country in search of a better life in South Africa, as well as the response from struggling communities who see the influx of foreigners as a threat to their own income and job opportunities.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation recently facilitated a series of dialogues in an effort to build social cohesion and understanding between South Africans and foreign nationals. The Foundation has just released a book capturing this two-year-long process, its achievements and challenges.

Read more about key principles such as community ownership, inclusivity, mutual respect and fundamental human rights.

46664 Bangle and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17th is World Poverty Day, and this year's theme is "From poverty to decent work: bridging the gap."

Could there be a more appropriate theme that relates directly to the 46664 Bangle project!

This year, the United Nations is focusing on sustainable models for economic stability through job creation. Through the small contribution of purchasing a 46664 Bangle, people around the world are supporting a project which creates employment for the less fortunate. The 46664 Bangle bracelet becomes a tangible reminder of global social issues; such as poverty, hunger, education and HIV AIDS prevention.

Every 46664 Bangle is handcrafted in South Africa, and even the packaging is made locally, to increase employment. Read these touching letters from people who have received income as a result of the 46664 Bangle project.

As the United Nations initiative reminds us,

"The campaign to make poverty history - a central moral challenge of our age - cannot remain a task for the few, it must become a calling for the many. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge everyone to join this struggle. Together, we can make real and sufficient progress towards the end of poverty." ~ United Nations Ex-Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, 17 October 2006".

46664 Bangle owners - wear your 46664 Bangle with extra pride on this day, knowing you have made a positive difference in the lives of others.

Read more here about the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Nelson Mandela's Private Documents Published - "I'm No Saint"

Nelson Mandela looks at his newly-released book, Conversations With Myself, October 2010

On October 12th, 2010, for the very first time, Nelson Mandela's hidden archives will be published in a new book, Conversations With Myself.

The collection of notes from prison and deeply personal diaries expose the private man behind the icon we fondly call Madiba.

Letters penned in jail by Nelson Mandela reveal his anguish at being separated from his family, and readers will feel the intensity of the pain he was going through in prison. The anti-apartheid icon wrote of his heartache at learning of the death of his 24-year old son in a car crash in 1969. He was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Nelson Mandela pushed for the archives to be opened and published in a new book. Aside from sharing his sorrow and suffering, we also see Nelson Mandela as a human being, as he urges the world not to view him as a saint.

"One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint," said the Nobel Peace Prize winner, aged 92.
"I never was one, even on the basis of the earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps trying. As a young man, I combined all the weaknesses, errors and indiscretions of a country boy, whose range of vision and experience was influenced mainly by events in the area in which I grew up and the colleges to which I was sent," he wrote.

"I relied on arrogance to hide my weaknesses," he added.

Per this BBC video, "The real man, flawed and human, is actually far more remarkable, far more inspiring than the cliché of some untouchable saint".

Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Dialogue Initiative Raises Community Awareness re HIV AIDS

During August 2010, a host of community conversations were held in 11 areas in South Africa as part the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s dialogue initiative to raise community awareness and reduce the incidence of HIV AIDS.

The rationale behind the conversations is to change the perception and values of communities dealing with HIVAIDS by equipping them to identify and discuss HIV AIDS-related concerns and to make informed decisions. Communities are supported by dedicated facilitation teams.

In recognition of August being Women’s Month in South Africa, the focus of the August conversations was on issues relating to women and girls within the wider scope of HIV/AIDS.

Read more about how socio-economic issues affect communities’ perception of, and attitude to, HIV AIDS prevention.

Source: The Nelson Mandela Foundation

Nelson Mandela Foundation Opposes Xenophobia

Read this interesting article from the Nelson Mandela Foundation about xenophobia, a hot topic at the recent “Dialogue for Social Change” seminar in South Africa.

The message from the Nelson Mandela Foundation is it's important that communities engage with one another about the issues they face. The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted experts and community members to speak about the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

The foundation's chief executive, Achmat Dangor, said: "We brought into one room people with a lot of expertise to take this message to communities".

Paul Graham from the Institute for Democracy in South Africa, spoke about knowledge being key to building trust and understanding. He touched on how, when research is conducted into some of the complex issues with which South Africa grapples, there is little feedback given to the community, meaning that there is little they can do to change. Sharing knowledge leads to a better society, he argued.

He said: “In truly democratic communities, we learn that, when we share knowledge and individuals prosper, our experience as a society expands for the better.”

Nelson Mandela Foundation Facilitates Discussion to Help Orphans

Tiyiselani, Kurhula and Shongi Shisingi, pictured on the left

The spirit of Mandela Day which was highlighted on July 18, continued in the rural community of Giyani in South Africa.

When a concerned teacher told the local church about the plight of three teenage girls living in a one-room shack, the community responded. They approached the Nelson Mandela Foundation for help to restore the dignity of this child-headed household.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation responded through its "Dialogue" program, which encourages and facilitates discussion around resolving critical social issues. It wasn't long before NGOs, the local church and business community had come together to build a four-room house for the teenagers. And to provide the girls with a sense of belonging, the Presbyterian Church committed to be their guardian.

"The conversations’ overwhelming appeal to the local community’s compassion proved that simple conversations can bring people together to build strong, supportive communities." - The Nelson Mandela Foundation

Read here for more of the story of the house that kindness built.

Highlight of US & Chinese Students' Trip to South Africa Was Seeing Where Nelson Mandela Was Imprisoned

A group of students from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in the United States, and Shantou University in China, took a journalist trip to South Africa, reporting on the 2010 FIFA World Cup and its impact on life in South Africa.

Their task was to post stories via blogs, photo galleries, podcasts and sound slides; gaining hands-on, multimedia experience and also learning how to work with students from another country. Even though the World Cup provided a dramatic and exciting backdrop for their stay, the students also got a taste of the social, and economic climate and the political issues of South Africa.

"The six journalists left the trip with an open mind and transitioned out of their comfort zone,” said Joe Ritchie, FAMU knight chair and professor of journalism, who organized the trip.

Students said the highlight of the trip was their visit to Robben Island, where they were able to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Read more about their experience here.

“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.”

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

Nelson Mandela Day A Tremendous Success

We saw people planting trees, handing out food to the homeless, visiting orphanages, meditating for world peace, and countless other activities to make a difference to their communities on Nelson Mandela Day on Sunday, July 18.

It was an extra meaningful day to wear your 46664 Bangle bracelet as a reminder of the leadership of Nelson Mandela and how each of us can make a positive impact through even the smallest actions.



Morgan Freeman starts the Nelson Mandela Day road trip




Celebrities, sports stars and political leaders around the world mucked in and did their bit, adding glamorous muscle to the celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. But it was the collective power of the individual actions that was particularly inspiring, as communities came together to enjoy helping others in less fortunate situations than themselves – which is the very essence of Nelson Mandela Day.

In the words of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who thanked people worldwide for their participation:

Let the wonderful work that people have done with and within communities now continue, and people and organisations should establish ongoing relationships with the various charities that they assisted.

Wear a 46664 Bangle on your wrist, keep Madiba in your heart, and make every day a Mandela Day.

South Africa’s World Cup Pride and Hope

We may be biased, but could there have been a more vibrant, colorful and happier host country in the history of the FIFA World Cup than South Africa? From the love-it/hate-it vuvuzela to the scenes of national pride around the country, to the jubilation when a beaming Nelson Mandela appeared at the closing ceremony; the 2010 tournament will be remembered by many as a joyful celebration of football.

It was also an immensely successful event for the South African hosts, who more than exceeded the world’s expectations. With world-class football stadiums, efficient transport arrangements and the added blessing of spectacular scenery, South Africa’s World Cup 2010 has been described as a resounding success.

South African national pride reached bursting point on July 11th, when Madiba (Nelson Mandela) arrived to do a lap of honor with his wife, Graça Machel, and the cheering of the crowd drowned out even the vuvuzela drone at Soccer City stadium.

Knowing how much it would benefit the continent of Africa, Mandela had campaigned for years to host the World Cup, despite critics’ concerns that South Africa could handle the world’s biggest sporting event. Nelson Mandela also saw once again how sport could play a defining role in reaching across the racial divide and uniting his country. In a letter to FIFA, Mandela said that the tournament “symbolizes the power of football to bring people together from all over the world, regardless of language, the color of one’s skin, political or religious persuasion.”

It was Nelson Mandela who chose a path of reconciliation in 1995, embracing the mostly-white sport of rugby and urging all South Africans to support their team (One Team, One Nation) in the international World Cup Rugby tournament, as played out in the movie, Invictus.

Fast forward to fifteen years later, and we saw all South Africans proudly wearing the yellow and green of the Bafana Bafana football team, singing the national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica and cheering as one when Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the tournament. As South African President, Jacob Zuma, said, “We are truly excited by the success and the spirit engulfing the country. For the first time ever in the 16 years of freedom and democracy, we see black and white South Africans celebrating together in the stadiums and fan parks.”

And now that the party is over? South Africa boosted its infrastructure with the building of stadiums, improved roads, hospitals, airports and hospitality facilities. The precise financial benefit is yet to be confirmed, but one million tourists brought their spending money to the country and reports of 700 million people worldwide viewing the final match placed South Africa firmly in the international spotlight, promoting additional future tourism.


Whatever the financial outcome, as international accents fade away and fly to their home countries and South Africa returns to normality, the World Cup event has arguably added to the healing and unity which began in 1995. It has also created a positive atmosphere that is conducive to addressing the reality of the country’s challenges.


Danny Jordaan, the tournament’s top organizer, commented on the gift of the World Cup to South Africa:

“The contribution to this society is the new sense of pride, walking tall and being united. This World Cup created a platform for South Africans to sit together and discover their own sense of pride and their concerns and their hope for the future.”

We at the 46664 Bangle project wish South Africa every success in
realizing those dreams.

Mandela’s Vision Comes True as World Cup 2010 Unites South Africans

Amid the buzzing of the vuvuzelas and the exuberant cheers of the crowd, there was a moment of sadness at the opening match when South African President, Jacob Zuma, referred to the tragic news of the death of Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter the night before the opening match.

A mourning Madiba, South Africa’s beloved anti-apartheid icon, could not join in on the explosion of emotion and national pride at the opening ceremony, but the crowd of 95,000 at Soccer City roared its approval when President Jacob Zuma delivered Mandela’s message to enjoy the football – “The spirit of Mandela is in Soccer City”. And indeed it was.

South African team, Bafana Bafana, played a gutsy and passionate game, scoring the very first goal of the World Cup, in their match against Mexico. Although the match ended in a 1-1 draw, spirits ran high as fans celebrated their 83rd ranked team’s results against Mexico, ranked at 17. The sea of multi-colored faces – waving South African flags, trumpeting on their vuvuzelas, and proudly wearing their makarabas, showed the kind of unity Nelson Mandela has always dreamed of.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela

Whatever the challenges are in this rainbow-colored nation, sport has once again reached across the racial divide and today the sun shines brightly in South Africa, fulfilling Madiba’s vision of sports uniting his nation. As FIFA president Sepp Blatter said recently, “Let’s celebrate the most charismatic humanist alive – Nelson Mandela”. Feel the pride of South Africans and read their positive messages here.

World Cup Delight As Family Confirms Mandela Will Attend Opening

It’s just 2 days away from the opening of the world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Vuvuzelas are abuzz, spontaneous displays of diski and waka waka dances abound, and the Nelson Mandela bridge in Johannesburg is draped with a gigantic banner of a smiling Madiba. Football Fever is everywhere as national pride explodes across South Africa.

But what has been missing for the last few weeks? Absolute confirmation that South Africa’s most famous citizen, former president Nelson Mandela, would be at the Soccer City stadium’s opening ceremony. A “will he, won’t he?” rumble rippled across the internet as people held their breath, waiting to hear whether the 91-year-old inspirational leader would make an appearance.

Today, a collective cheer could be heard around the world as Nelson Mandela’s family announced that he would be in the audience at the opening ceremony. His grandson, Mandla Mandela, said his grandfather "will come and greet the fans", then will watch the rest of the game from his home. Nelson Mandela Foundation spokesman, Sello Hating, confirmed the statesman's attendance but said a final decision will only be taken on the day.

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has described Mandela as “the architect of World Cup 2010” and a major influence in bringing the World Cup to the African continent for the first time. Nelson Mandela is a global icon for human rights, reconciliation, diversity, respect and freedom – all of which are powerful qualities to add to the excitement of World Cup 2010 through his presence on June 11th.

Letters of Hope and Pride - That Madiba Magic

The 46664 Bangle initiative has been bringing hope and dignity to people in South Africa, since its inception in 2008. Now we can see examples of the positive impact this official wrist bracelet in support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation has had on the lives of those handcrafting the bracelet and its packaging.

In rural White River, an area in Mpumulanga, South Africa, with high statistics of HIV/AIDS, the 46664 Bangle project has created jobs and made a difference to people like Beauty Mazabuko, who says “It helps the people that are having HIV and AIDS. Also the children are affected by that disease.”

Sipho Mashego adds, “It is a great honour to be part of the Mandela Bangle; the man who didn’t want to shine in the limelight but known worldwide.”

This heartwarming collection of letters from some of the team who work on the 46664 Bangle, describes the significance and pride associated with their work. In the words of Mirriam Shabangu, “The bangles are made so that [Nelson Mandela’s] selfless contribution should be known by everyone, even the future generations.”

Clearly, it’s not just the income and skills the project provides, but it’s also the honor and pride felt to be associated with something so closely linked to Africa’s most favorite and most famous resident, Nelson Mandela. As Walter says, “You know what, everybody loves Mandela, and I do too.”

Read more in letters from Beauty, Mirriam, Nester, Sipho, Walter and Yvonne.

Buy a Bangle. Change a Life.