The Nelson Mandela Foundation serves as a centre of memory
Memory, dialogue and legacy work is the Nelson Mandela Foundation's focus.
With 2024 coming to an end, the Nelson Mandela Foundation executive advisor Professor Verne Harris wishes the publication best wishes for 2025.
“Madiba was passionate about hard-copy printed newspapers. Keep up the good work,” said Harris.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation was established in 1999 when its founder, Mandela, stepped down as the President of South Africa.
He vowed to serve only one term as President, and in 1999 he stepped down to make way for former President Thabo Mbeki.
“In the life of any individual, family, community or society, memory is of fundamental importance. It is the fabric of identity,” said Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation was born as Mandela’s post-presidential office and provided the base for his charitable work, covering a wide range of endeavours – from building schools to HIV/Aids work, research into education in rural areas, to peace and reconciliation interventions.
Five years later, the foundation began transitioning into an organisation focused on memory, dialogue and legacy work. A comprehensive refurbishment of the foundation’s building provided it with an appropriate physical home, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.
Also read: Fatima Meer’s Born to Struggle launches at the Nelson Mandela Foundation
The centre was opened on November 18, 2013, three years after Mandela last used the building as his office.
Important events hosted by the Nelson Mandela in 2024 included:
- 22nd Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture where Nobel Literature laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah was invited to to drive debate on significant social issues.
- A biography launch of activist, Fatima Meer.
- Our shared humanity in action exhibition which focused on the role played by the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid in dismantling apartheid in South Africa.
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Related article: Newly appointed Nelson Mandela Foundation’s CEO, Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi is ready to take it to greater heights
