The Graça Machel Trust’s Pan African Adolescent Girls’ Movement joined the United Nations in South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Nelson Mandela Foundation at the launch of Thando and Freddy’s Big SDG Adventure book, affirming one shared message: children must be heard, trusted and included in shaping the world they will inherit.

“I was really amazed because adults who write children’s books often include what they think is best for children, instead of asking children what they want to read. But after we gave our feedback, the book that we’re launching today is different. You can tell that this book includes a child’s opinion. You can see it in the pictures, the colours, and the rhyming. You can tell that a child was here.”

— Fanelesibonge Ndhlovu, Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement

South African girls from the Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement were invited to review it before publication, helping ensure the story spoke to young readers in a way that felt engaging, relatable and accessible. Thando and Freddy’s Big SDG Adventure uses adventure, friendship, kindness, courage, Ubuntu and action to introduce children to the Sustainable Development Goals in a language they can understand. The book brings global goals closer to children’s daily lives, showing that education, equality, climate action, health, dignity, and partnership are not abstract ideas. They are part of what children see in their homes, schools, and communities every day.

“Children are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are citizens of today. They have the right to participate, to be heard, and to influence the decisions that affect their lives.”

— Shiphra Chisha, Chief Executive Officer, Graça Machel Trust.

Shiphra stated that the launch carried a wider message: children are not simply learning about change; they are already part of making it. For the Trust, that means creating opportunities for children to move from being listeners to active contributors in shaping a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. “Together, let us continue to create spaces where children are not only heard but trusted, valued, and equipped to lead.”

As the lead United Nations partner behind the book, Nelson Muffuh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, positioned the launch as part of a wider commitment to make the Sustainable Development Goals meaningful for children. He reminded guests that the goals are not an abstract global agenda, but a promise that every child should learn, be safe, be heard, and grow up on a planet that can still hold their dreams. “This book speaks to children in a language they understand adventure, friendship, kindness, courage, Ubuntu and action. It reminds them that they do not need to wait to be grown-ups to help change the world.” He said.

14-year-old Remoneilwe Phalane of the Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement read from the book’s section on SDG 5: Gender Equality, a goal she said stood out because of what she has learned through the Movement.

“Being part of the Graça Machel Trust has shown me that women can speak up, lead and make their voices heard.”
— Remoneilwe Phalane, Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement

The strength of the book was also reflected in how children engaged with it on the day. Through readings, reflections and the Children’s Voices panel, the launch moved beyond partnership statements and showed what meaningful child participation looks like in practice.

The Children’s Voices panel continued this message by asking how children contribute to better communities. Moderated by Lorato Tshenkeng, the conversation created space for young panelists to speak about leadership, climate action, education, gender equality, and courage.

The panel featured Fanelesibonge Ndhlovu and Kamohelo Mosala from the Movement and Litha Mnisi and Ndivhuwo Mashele from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Kamohelo reflected on SDG 5 on Gender Equality, which she said was closest to her heart.

“Being part of the Graça Machel Trust has shown me that women can speak up, lead and make their voices heard. I come from a community where certain cultural norms are practiced, and it is often understood that men have more power and dominance than women. I think that we, as the current generation, should teach each other that this is no longer how things should be, and that it is okay for everyone, both women and men, to have equal opportunities and equal power.”
— Kamohelo Mosala, Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement

Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, placed children at the centre by noting that stories help them make sense of the world and recognise their own role in creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable future.

Alice Brown, Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, linked the launch to Mandela Day’s call to action, reminding guests that Madiba’s legacy must be carried forward through justice, equality and inclusion.

Together, these voices placed the book within a wider call to action: children must not only be inspired by Mandela’s values; they must be given the space, tools and confidence to live those values in their homes, schools and communities.

For the Trust, this understanding sits at the heart of its work with adolescent girls across Africa. Through the Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement, the Trust has seen that when girls are given opportunities to lead and participate, they do not simply share opinions. They provide solutions, challenge assumptions, and help shape better outcomes.

Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike came to offer support and encourage children to carry the book’s message beyond the launch, while also reminding adults that children’s commitments must be matched by action.

“When children promise to read, we must provide books. When they promise to conserve water, we must repair leaking infrastructure. When they promise to include others, we must remove the barriers that exclude.”
— Hon. Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

The launch of Thando and Freddy’s Big SDG Adventure honoured Nelson Mandela’s legacy by placing children’s voices at the centre. For the Graça Machel Trust, the partnership also builds on a long-standing alignment between the Graça Machel Trust and the United Nations’ development agenda. H.E. Graça Machel’s is a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, and together with the Trust’s work to advance the rights and leadership of women, children and adolescents, this makes this collaboration a natural fit: bringing the goals closer to the next generation.