In a gathering that celebrated the enduring legacy of one of the world's most revered leaders, Makerere University last week played host to the prestigious Annual Nelson Mandela Public Lecture. The event, which drew distinguished guests from near and far, saw the esteemed presence of the South African High Commissioner to Uganda, Her Excellency Lulama Xingwana, alongside a poignant keynote address delivered by none other than Nelson Mandela's first grandson, Hon. Mandla Mandela.
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Makerere University Council (far right) welcomes Hon. Mandla to the University. Looking on (centre) is H.E Lulama Xingwana, South African High Commissioner to Uganda
In his opening remarks delivered by Prof. Eria Hisali, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked everyone that graced the event for sparing time to join the University in conjunction with the South African High Commission to celebrate the life and legacy of one of Africa’s greatest sons, the late Nelson Madiba Mandela.
Prof. Nawangwe mentioned that it was a great honor for Makerere to host Hon. Mandla Mandela as the keynote speaker for the 2023 edition of the Annual Public lecture. He stressed that since he had witnessed Madiba walk free from the dungeons of life imprisonment in 1990 and thereafter secure South African presidency, there was no one better placed to share Madiba’s dream and vision for Africa in line with the day’s theme.
H.E Xingwana delivering her remarks at the Mandela commemorative lecture
H.E Lulama Xingwana contextualized the The Annual Nelson Mandela Public Lecture with the social and political background of Nelson Mandela's life story. She chronicled Mandela's life journey right from the time of his birth into the royal family of the Thembu People, his expulsion from university on account of his activist politics and his eventual rise to the Presidency of a united South Africa.
Presenting the Keynote Address under the theme, “Positioning Africa for Climate Justice and Food Security” Hon. Mandla Mandela started off by mentioning how much of an honor it was for him to be at Makerere University, one of the erudite centers of higher education in Africa.
Hon. Mandla Mandela delivers his keynote address at the Annual Nelson Mandela Public Lecture
Quoting an African proverb, “If you don’t know where you are coming from, you will never know where you are going” he stressed the fact that seeking climate justice is foremost an admission and axiomatic truth that climate injustice prevails.
On how we can then tackle climate injustice, Hon. Mandela emphasized the fact that "climate justice must be restorative in terms of our traditional knowledge systems that govern how we preserve our values & how those values direct the choices we make about our past, present & future."
The South African Member of Parliament added that, “Climate Education is imperative but must be rooted in our own African values. The resources must speak to our experience & must not whitewash the sins of colonialism & their continued responsibility for reparations, restoration, redistribution & reform”
He concluded his keynote address by urging the audience “...not to rob our children of their dreams for that is their right. They should have the opportunity for success through sustainable use of resources.”
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Makerere University Council in attendance at the 2023 Annual Nelson Mandela Public Lecture
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Makerere University Council delivered the concluding remarks towards the end of the exhilarating 2023 Annual Nelson Mandela Public Lecture.
On behalf of Makerere University, she thanked Hon Mandla for selflessly sharing Madiba’s heart in positioning Africa for climate justice and food security. She equally thanked the Vice Chancellor, management, and staff for the excellent work in planning for and coordinating this annual commemorative lecture.
She ended by encouraging the audience to continue debating salient issues that arose from the day’s lecture for the good of Uganda and Africa, our beloved continent.
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