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Youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner to deliver Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Malala Yousafzai will deliver the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on 5 December, exactly a decade since Madiba passed away.
Activist Malala with her husband Asser Malik. Picture: malala/Instagram
The youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai will deliver the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in December this year.
Malala has grown to become a global icon, a wife and more since being bestowed the esteemed prize at the age of 17 in 2014.
“Malala embodies the type of leadership we believe the world needs across all levels of society. In the face of current global challenges, which can seem daunting, she stands as an inspiring symbol of hope for a just and equitable future,” said Nelson Mandela Foundation acting CE, Verne Harris.
The lecture is set for 5 December, exactly a decade since the former Statesman passed away.
The 26 year-old Malala seemingly instantly became a global public figure through her activism in her homeland Pakistan. At 15 she was shot in the head for standing up against the Taliban, who were a dominated socio-political force in North-Western Pakistan, where she lived.
Her temerity for fighting against the injustice on girl’s education earned her long-lasting praise.
Malala the wife
With the Mother Teresa -esque vibe around Malala because of advocacy for girls’ rights , it might feel a bit odd for some to imagine her with a partner. But the activist is happily married to Asser Malik, who is the General Manager of High Performance for the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“You are more than just Ken to me, you are a true partner. Every person should be so lucky to have someone as supportive, caring and kind by their side. You make every day together an adventure and I am so excited to continue to explore whatever the future holds. P.S. I will let you win golf today because it’s your bday [sic],’ wrote Malala in her message to Malik a few weeks ago on his birthday.
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Malala the celeb
The Nobel Peace Prize might be the most prestigious honour she has, but she has also been bestowed with a number of other awards. The European Parliament awarded her the renowned Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
These plaudits bring with it instant fame and influence. She is now seen regularly with other global figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise.
Malala is the executive producer of the movie Joyland, which is a queer love story that explores transgender themes in Pakistan, a strict Islamic republic.
The sports enthusiast
She has continued with her activism work through the years, through the Malala Fund which on its website states: “Malala Fund is working for a world where every girl can learn and lead.”
However, she merges her activism with her passion for sport supporting girls and women through various initiatives or by simply cheering them on.
