As part of commemorating the 16 days of activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund facilitated an Intergenerational Dialogue which took place on the 10th of December 2019 at the Fund’s offices. The focus of the dialogue was to engage men and boys and how they can play a role in protecting children and women.
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Attendees included amongst others the Bafana-Bafana national coach Mr. Molefi Ntseki, Under 17 boys coach, Mr. Vela Khumalo, the Acting High Commissioner of Canada to South Africa Ms. Pamela Moore, civil society and our partners. Young men and women attending the event pledged their commitment to protecting women and children through various initiatives they are (and will be) implementing in their local communities. 

Young Urban Men from Afrika-Tikkun, which is one of the organisations supported by the Fund, believe in changing the way society treats its children and women, one of the young men in the programme was quoted saying, "Men are trash, but we believe trash can be recycled and renewed.”

The Fund’s CEO, Ms. Sibongile Mkhabela stated that; “Women are not the only victims when it comes to Gender Based Violence, but that good men are victims as well because vicious men have the audacity to attack both good men and women with the same brutality.”
“The conversation about Gender Based Violence should not be about men versus women. It should rather be about how good men and women can work together to reconstruct societal values, and hold government accountable on its constitutional obligations” – Ms. Mkhabela concluded.

In her address, the Acting Canadian High Commissioner, Ms. Pamela Moore said that, “Gender Based Violence is a worldwide problem. Canada is no exception, particularly in indigenous communities. When people make disparaging remarks about women, speak out and warn them about dangers of such comments."
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The success of protecting and ensuring safety of women and girls rests upon our continued, daily, individual and collective actions to safeguard our society against this cycle of abuse.

​The Trustees and Staff of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund are truly saddened to learn of the passing of William S. White - an influential and inspiring leader.  Bill White had a long-standing relationship with our organisation that spans more than two decades.  Since the inception of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund by Nelson Mandela during his tenure as the first democratically elected President of South Africa, we received unwavering support.  Under the headship of Bill White, the Mott Foundation heeded Mr Mandela’s call and fully subscribed to his vision of changing the way society treats its children.  
 
Bill White and the Mott Foundation became President Club members of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and went on to become Lifetime Founding members.  They fully supported Nelson Mandela’s vision for our future citizens, particularly assisting in building the capacity of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.  Consequently, under Bill White’s leadership, Mott Foundation granted two million U.S dollars to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund for a permanent Endowment fund to ensure sustainability and that the legacy and vision of its Founder, Nelson Mandela, is secured in perpetuity.  We were extremely grateful and humbled by this vital support.
 
​Bill was a great friend of our organisation and created numerous opportunities for us to highlight the important work we do. Whenever he was visiting South Africa, Bill would take every opportunity to get involved with our work on the ground, and his passion was evident in the various after school programs.  His continued contribution to the Fund resulted in Mr Mandela personally recognising Bill with an award through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
 
On behalf of the Trustees and Staff at both the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Hospital, we salute Bill White as a friend and visionary.  His legacy continues to live on through the strong partnerships he has forged throughout the world -  and particularly here in South Africa.   
 
Hamba kahle Bill White – your generosity and inspiration shall be sorely missed.
 

The annual Nelson Mandela Challenge is one way of honouring the late father of the nation and the first democratic president of South Africa Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Madiba’s) notion of Changing the Way Society Treats its Children and Youth.​

​In 2018, South Africa met Paraguay at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and concluded in a one all draw. In keeping up with the tradition of bringing top sides, the Nelson Mandela Challenge match will this year feature, Mali (the Eagles) and South Africa (Bafana Bafana) will do the honours this year. South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) are celebrating 25 years of partnership through the Nelson Mandela Challenge.
Bafana Bafana will go head to head with the Eagles in the 25th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge to be held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, 13 October 2019 and kick-off at 15:00.
“From the first game that South Africa played against Zambia at the FNB Stadium in 1994, to the very last one against Paraguay at Moses Mabhida Stadium last year, the Nelson Mandela Challenge has been a 25-year journey that has seen the Fund and SAFA being fellow travellers to raise awareness for the cause of children, bring cheer to the football-loving community and celebrating Madiba’s legacy,” said Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
A nation that works, dreams, plays and fills sports fields with cheering fans and shining stars but never forgets to spare a thought for its children, is the one that Madiba established the Fund for. Every edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge is a reminder that there is no better foundation for any nation than its children. We are deeply honoured that every stakeholder that never tires to make this tournament possible, subscribes to the joy of making children’s life a celebration.
This charitable event ties to the values Madiba lived for and the belief that: "Sport has the power to change the world, and the power to unite people in a way that little else does” – Nelson Mandela 
The Fund is thankful for the long standing relationship SAFA and support that contributed to Madiba’s dream to build a hospital for children dedicated to the wellbeing of all children regardless of background – the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital being a reality today.

Child safety and protection is a global challenge. Violence against women and girls takes many forms - physical, sexual, economic, and psychological which in fact all of these are violation of human dignity and human rights and have long-lasting consequences for both the victims and their communities.
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Gender based violence and Violence Against Women and Girls have proven to have significant negative impact on the social advancement of women and girl child even on their progress in school.  In response to the increasing violence against women and girls the Fund responded to a call, by Comic Relief, on the Sexual Violence in Schools in South Africa (SeVISSA) pilot programme in 2014.

The programme is implemented through a consortium model that consist of four provincial coalitions.  The coalitions are located in four provinces namely: Gauteng – Diepsloot; Eastern Cape – Peddie; Limpopo – Madodonga and Tshisaulu; and Western Cape - Worcester, Mamelsbury and Stellenbosch. 

Each coalition responded to different drivers of violence against women and girls. In responding to drivers of sexual violence in each province, coalitions implemented various models to pilot for five years.

On 26 September 2019 the Fund will host a SeVISSA Best Practice Market under the theme: Against All Odds, I RISE to showcase the different models used to combat the scourge of violence against women and girls.

Date:26th September 2019
Time:10:00 – 13:00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, 21st Eastwold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
 

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our belovedMpho Ingrid Maila.  She leaves behind the joy of her heart and her greatest blessing, her son Thuto, Her Mother Rose, brothers Tebogo & Thapelo and her little sister Naledi.

Mpho started her schooling years at Gorogang Primary School and moved on to Laban Motlhabi Comprehensive School where she completed her matric. As an enthusiastic student she participated in various leadership programmes and public speaking events. It was at an event hosted by Youth Connection where she gave a speech that lead her to being selected to be part of The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund youth board called Efeng Bacha.

After completing high school, she remained committed to community and youth development work by working as a ground-breaker for Love Life in 2010 whilst being active within Efeng Bacha. In 2007 Mpho took part in the Violence in Schools Seminar, in 2011 she participated in the Othandweni Children’s home book drive, the Reclaiming our Dignity through Reading Seminar and also in the 2011 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. 

She was part of the 100 young people that give back to their communities and was ordained alumni during the Centenary celebration of the late Former President Nelson Mandela in 2018 by The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at the 2018 Nelson Mandela Youth Summit. 
Her love for community development was deeply rooted as she joined an organisation called New Image Rover Crew as a child care-worker in 2014 until March of 2019. 
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As untimely as her passing was to us all, it is her existence in our lives that we are grateful of more. It is her humbleness and her fighting spirit we will remember the most. It is her infectious laugh and smile that will be embedded in our hearts forever. She was here and although she’s gone, it’s the memories that she shared with us, her family, relatives and friends that will be treasured forever.