Bill Gates visits Mamelodi
Bill Gates will deliver the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at Mamelodi campus.
Bill Gates will deliver the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on 17 July, at the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi campus.
Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will address the theme ‘Living Together’ in his lecture.
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is one of the foundation’s flagship programmes to honour the founder, Nelson Mandela.
The lecture also aims to raise topical issues affecting South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world and encourage local and international dialogue to find ways to address them.
Nelson Mandela Foundation spokesperson Lee Davies said the theme of this year’s lecture “highlights the need for a new social pact across the globe to end protracted conflict, overcome intolerance and prejudice, improve access to healthcare and education, and reduce poverty and inequality”.
Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, believes all lives have equal value and is dedicated to building a world where everyone has a chance to lead a healthy, productive life.
“As an innovator and a philanthropist, I know Bill Gates will inspire students, staff and academics at the university,” said professor Cheryl de la Rey, principal and vice chancellor of the university.
“His dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the poor sets a remarkable example for us all. We [the university] are delighted to partner with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to host the lecture” said De la Rey.
Bill Gates left Harvard University in 1975 during his junior year to focus on Microsoft, which he founded with his friend Paul Allen.
As chief software architect and chairperson, Gates led the company to become the global leader in business and personal software, services and solutions.
The husband and wife team, Bill and Melinda established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 – the world’s largest private foundation.
Gates has also received numerous awards for his philanthropic work and holds several honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lectures are addressed by speakers who have made a significant contribution in their field of expertise.
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