One Young World Founder David Jones, anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, Nobulali Dangazele, former Sprinbbok captain Francois Pienaar, and Kate Robertson shared the stage for a One Young World special session on ‘Knowing Mandela’. Photo: One Young World
By Luvuyo Mandela
4 October 2013
Special is exactly what it was! Any platform with the great and incredibly humble Ahmed Kathrada is always an intensely sincere and intimate experience. Mr Kathrada shared the stage with Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholar Nobulali Dangazele, former Springbok Captain Francois Pienaar, setting the stage for the One Young World special session on “Knowing Nelson Mandela”.
The gathering offered yet another avenue for me to learn more about the global icon I can call my great-grandfather. Our guests on stage shared various testimonies about their interactions with Ukhokho (a Xhosa word meaning great-grandfather).
Mrs Dangazele spoke of the initial contradiction of Rolihlahla Mandela partnering with the Rhodes Trust to establish the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. She touched briefly on the Rhodes legacy compared to the transformation agenda of the scholarships awarded to students. She shared the following quote: “The eye of the imagination is greater than the eye that sees”, which speaks to ukhokho’s vision.
Francois shared a few tear-filled anecdotes that revealed his kindness and his nature. Our famous Bok captain and ukhokho’s simple gestures have lasted with the Springbok team since they won the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
As it was a platform engaging young people, I think it best to share tweets posted by One Young World delegates in the audience:
@VStuartTaylor: “I feel honoured to have spent today in the presence of some incredible #OYW delegates and figures such as Amhed Kathrada.”
@Noexie quoted Mr Kathrada when he said, “Organise whatever you can, our Constitution allows us to do whatever we would like within the law.”
@albatiley: “Inspiring lessons from Mandela: Ahmed Kathrada (former South African Political Prisoner) tells: with freedom, comes responsibility.
- The One Young World Summit 2013 is taking place in Johannesburg from 2 to 5 October.
- Find out more about One Young World: www.oneyoungworld.com
- Read about the summit elsewhere on BrandSA:
- Luvuyo Mandela is an ambassador for Cheesekids For Humanity, a youth moment that specialises in activating platforms for volunteers servicing neighbouring communities. He is also the great-grandson of Nelson Mandela, and is attending the summit as a Brand South Africa delegate.
