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Ndaba  Mandela

Ndaba Mandela

Grandson of Nelson Mandela, Co-Founder & Chairman of Africa Rising Foundation

Ndaba Mandela

Grandson of Nelson Mandela, Co-Founder & Chairman of Africa Rising Foundation

Biography

Nelson Mandela had a “long walk to freedom,” yet his footprints still remain. Following in the footsteps of his beloved and iconic grandfather, Ndaba Mandela has taken the torch – and ran with it. Today, Nelson Mandela’s legacy lives on as Ndaba continues to keep its beacon of hope bright, fueling its fiery message that one person can make a difference. Thankfully for all, the legacy lives. Ndaba is currently the co-founder and chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity, where he lifts up the next generation of African leaders and fights for the end of HIV/AIDS. He was recently named one of the “28 Men of Change” by BET and is featured in their International Emmy-nominated docu-series The Mandela Project, which centers on the legacy of Nelson Mandela and debuted on BET's YouTube channel on July 18th, 2023. His recent book, Going to the Mountain: Life Lessons from My Grandfather, Nelson Mandela, is the first-ever to tell Nelson Mandela's life through the eyes of the grandson who was raised by him, chronicling Ndaba's life living with, and learning from, one of the greatest leaders and humanitarians the world has ever known.

Today, Ndaba is showing the world, through his actions and orations, that Nelson Mandela’s voice and message of freedom still carries and rings true – sounded by a child that became a man under the warm embrace and expert tutelage of one of history’s greatest teachers. Currently, Ndaba is organizing the 95th celebration of Nelson Mandela day and was also instrumental in creating the International Day of Happiness at the United Nations. He continues to keep Mandela on the world’s mind.

Now, Ndaba Mandela entertains and inspires audiences with tales only he could tell in his presentations exclusively through American Program Bureau. With pride and presence, Ndaba speaks passionately about Africa, its people and its future – which is looking brighter than ever. This is good news, not only for the continent, but also for corporations looking to get in on the ground floor of a steadily rising nation, embracing its vast potential and natural resources. In fact, Ndaba is the co-founder and co-chairman of the Africa Rising Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting a positive image of Africa around the world and to increasing its potential for growth in the areas of education, employment and international corporate alliances for profit and partnership. Ndaba also serves as an executive director UN AIDS, which seeks to end discrimination around HIV/Aids through the power of football.

With his one-of-a-kind perspective and dynamic speaking style, he remains true to his inspiring grandfather’s message as he quotes, “I carry with me the values of my grandfather. I am an African, and I know what it means to be African, and I’m proud of it.” He also regales audiences, as no other can, with quips and quotes from his famed, father-like teacher and inspiration. Ndaba entertains audiences by inviting them inside the mind of “Mandela-the-man” when he cites his grandfather’s suggestions and stance on life, sharing advice he received as a boy, recalling, “He told me to always be humble. He once said to me, ‘When you start working, don’t drive a Jaguar!”

Ndaba lets audiences peek through the keyholes of the Presidential Palace and proudly shares lessons of love, remembering, “I saw him interact with kings and presidents, and with our household cook. He treated everyone the same. This was his key value.” These lessons and values were learned well and are practiced today by Ndaba who has also founded Mandela.is – a social hub created to give back to the community with the support of the same experts responsible for Lady Gaga’s network, LittleMonsters.com.

Ndaba’s presentations come from the man who was closest to the man who change the world he loved, and the world loved back. It doesn’t matter whether you are a child looking for inspiration, or a person investing as a corporation – Nelson Mandela’s message was meant for the masses and it was simply this…one individual can make a difference, if they just arm themselves with the unbreakable belief that nothing is out of reach.

Speaker Videos

Sizzle Reel

Africa Rising

U of Michigan MLK Symposium 2015

The Mandela Legacy

Speech Topics

From Prisoner to President: The Mandela Legacy Lives On

Ndaba describes what is was like to first meet his iconic grandfather at age 11 when Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison – and then live with him in the Presidential Palace shortly thereafter. Ndaba tells tales and shares the inspiring, and often amusing, anecdotes told to him directly from his doting grandfather. Ndaba also describes to his audiences, both the joy and the strain he feels having the awesome responsibility of the world’s expectations to be counted on, and considered as, the “2nd chapter” of the Mandela story.

Africa Rising: Uncovering Africa’s Hidden Economic Potential

Ndaba is the Founder and Chairman of the Africa Rising Foundation. He describes its mission and purpose to increase employment, embrace and levy the benefits of Africa’s resources and de-stigmatize negative media stereotypes – ensuring a future filled with pride and prosperity. In fact, of the world’s 10 fastest rising economies today, Africa is home to six of them. Now in his presentations, he is able to demonstrate to companies how they can take advantage of the skills and hard-learned lessons Ndaba himself has endured, giving businesses the confidence to follow his lead and create these same kinds of opportunities for themselves in what is now a global hotbed of potential.

HIV/AIDS: The Secret Shared by Millions

Ndaba speaks out on his own family’s struggle with AIDS, describing what is was like from his perspective to both lose family members, and live with the stigma of AIDS in Africa. He also offers his insight as a leader and advocate for AIDS education that can benefit any nation battling with this disease and the toll it takes on a mortal and emotional level.

Philanthropy 101: Building & Managing a Successful Charity

As Founder and Chairman of the highly successful Africa Rising Foundation, Ndaba shares his wealth of knowledge and gives you the tools you will need to build a charitable organization from the ground up, or enhance your existing efforts. Showcasing what he has learned, Ndaba breaks down how to create and manage a successful philanthropic enterprise in this informative and easy to follow presentation.

The Village Idiom: Empowering Youth through Education, Interconnectivity & Employment

Ndaba addresses the critical issue of how education and interconnectivity leads to employment in all areas – from the largest universities, to the smallest local schools. Ndaba also educates audiences on how to literally apply the tools it takes to realize his grandfather’s eternal message of the importance of education in one’s life, and also how to create the necessary solid support system of teachers, parents, civic leaders and mentors that it takes to succeed.

Testimonials