This is how Mrs Machel and the Graça Machel Trust celebrated Mandela’s Centenary The Graça Machel Trust joined South Africa and the rest of the world to celebrate the year that marked Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday. Below are some highlights of the celebrations. The #MadibaInYou Campaign We started the
Nelson Mandela said “Difficulties break some men but make others” which means that when you are faced with a dilemma or challenge you either choose it to break you or to build you. As we build-up to the Graça Machel Trust and MINDS Africa Youth Network Summit (AYNS) on the 20th and 21st of
Nelson Mandela fought for a better life for all. When he decided to start the first ever black- owned law firm in 1952, it was not easy because it was during the Apartheid regime. Apartheid was the hardest era in South African history because injustice for black people in the country was prevalent, but for
In 1996, when Nelson Mandela was the president of South Africa, he emphasized the need for health and nutrition for all in South Africa. In March 1996, he received the honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in appreciation of the work he was doing for health and nutrition. In getting
Nelson Mandela believed that education could be the most powerful tool that can change the world, and on this Mandela day, we reflect on how this is practically possible. Nqobile Masondo’s story demonstrates that young people are determined to live up to the Mandela legacy of making the world a better place. A doctorate
One of the greatest abilities Nelson Mandela had was using sports as a tool to break down barriers and unite a divided South Africa. He as sportsman - an amateur boxer and soccer player – in his early life and saw the potential sport had to do well. Any South African will remember that
We see and experience inequality on an everyday basis. We have seen it from when Africans were traded as slaves to Europeans during the slave trade. We have seen African countries being colonised and when South Africa was ruled under the Apartheid regime. Today we see inequality in work places, in our homes, and
In 1999, Nelson Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He wanted to create an instrument which would outlive him. One of the key gifts he gave to the world was Mandela day – a global challenge which encourages people to take time out – 67 minutes – on his birthday to help others. This has
Nelson Mandela was an advocate. Throughout his life we note various points where he took a stand against social injustice. In his early life, Nelson Mandela went to prison for 27 years because he was one of the key champions that fought to end apartheid in South Africa. He believed that each individual carries
Africa’s reality is that we are currently sitting with a huge percent of the total population under the age of 40. There are many conversations happening across the continent on how we can harness this youthful population. In response to this, The Graça Machel Trust (GMT) and the Mandela Institute of Development Studies
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.